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THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 


THE   DAUGHTER 
OF  HEAVEN 


BY 


PIERRE  LOTI  AND  JUDITH  GAUTIER 


Translated  by  RUTH  HELEN  DAVIS 


NEW  YORK 

DUFFIELD  &  COMPANY, 

1912 


COPYKIGHT,  I9IZ,  By 

JUDITH  GAUTIER  and  PIERRE  LOTI 


Copyright,  1912,  Bt 
DUFFIELD  &  COMPANY 


Preface 


College 

w 


Thoroughly  to  understand  China,  one  must  realize 
that  it  has  for  three  hundred  years  cherished  in  its 
heart  a  deep  and  continually  bleeding  wound.  When 
the  country  was  conquered  by  the  Manchus  of  Tar- 
tary,  the  ancient  dynasty  of  the  Mings  was  forced  to 
yield  the  throne  to  the  Tzin  invaders,  but  the  Chinese 
nation  never  ceased  to  mourn  the  ancient  dynasty 
nor  to  hope  for  its  restoration.  Revolution  is  there- 
fore a  permanent  thing  in  China — a  fire  which  smould- 
ers eternally,  breaking  into  flame  in  one  province  only 
to  be  smothered  and  blaze  out  again  presently  in  an- 
other. 

No  doubt  the  Yellow  Empire  is  too  immense  to 
permit  of  complete  understanding  among  the  revolu- 
tionaries, or  of  collective  effort  to  break  off  the  Tar- 
tan yoke.  Several  times,  nevertheless,  the  Chinese  race 
has  been  near  to  victory.  When,  some  twenty  years 
ago,  certain  events,  which  Europe  never  really  under- 
stood, brought  about  an  upheaval  in  China,  the  revo- 
lutionaries, victorious  for  a  time,  proclaimed  at  Nang- 
King  an  emperor  of  Chinese  blood  and  of  the  dynasty 
of  the  Mings.  His  name  was  Ron-Tsin-Tse,  which 
means:  The  Final  Flowering,  and  by  the  faithful  his 
era  was  called  Tai-Ping-Tien-Ko,  which  is  as  much 
as  to  say:  The  Empire  of  the  Great  Celestial  Peace. 
He  reigned  seventeen  years,  concurrently  with  the 
Tartar  Emperor  at  Pekin  and  almost  within  the  shadow 
of  that  city. 

Later,  the  authorities  forced  a  complete  suppression 
of  his  history:  all  records  of  it  were  confiscated  and 
burned,  and  men  were  forbidden,  under  penalty  of 
death,  even  to  utter  his  name.    Here,  however,  is  the 


1568185 


vi  PREFACE 

translation  ot  a  passage  relating  to  him  which  occurs 
in  a  voluminous)  report  addressed  by  the  Tartar  gen- 
eral Tsen-Konan-Wei,  to  the  Emperor  at  Pekin  : 

"When  the  revolutionaries  rose  in  the  province  of 
Chan-Tung,  (he  says)  they  possessed  themselves  of 
sixteen  provinces  and  six  hundred  cities.  Their  guilty 
chief  and  his  criminal  friends  had  become  really  for- 
midable. All  their  generals  fortified  themselves  in 
the  places  they  had  taken,  and  not  until  they  had  stood 
three  years  of  siege  were  we  again  Masters  in  Nang- 
King.  At  this  time  the  rebel  army  numbered  more 
than  two  hundred  thousand  men,  but  not  one  of  them 
would  surrender.  The  moment  they  perceived  them- 
selves lost  they  set  fire  to  the  palace  and  burned  them- 
selves alive.  Many  of  the  women  hanged  or  strangled 
themselves,  or  threw  themselves  into  the  lakes  in  the 
gardens.  However,  I  succeeded  in  making  one  young 
woman  prisoner,  and  pressed  her  to  tell  me  where  the 
Emperor  was.  'He  is  dead,'  she  replied;  'vanquished, 
he  poisoned)  himself.'  But  immediately  the  new  Em- 
peror was  proclaimed  in  the  person  of  his  son,  Hon- 
Fo-Tsen.  She  led  me  to  the  old  Emperor's  tomb, 
which  I  ordered  broken  open.  In  it  was  found  in  fact 
the  Emperor's  body,  enveloped  in  a  shroud  of  yellow 
silk  embroidered  with  dragons.  He  was  old,  bald,  and 
had  a  white  mustache.  I  caused  his  body  to  be  burned 
and  his  ashes  to  be  thrown  to  the  winds.  Our  soldiers 
destroyed  all  that  remained  within  the  walls:  there 
were  three  days  and  nights  of  killing  and  pillage. 
However,  one  troop  of  several  thousands  of  rebels, 
very  well-armed,  succeeded  in  escaping  from  the  city, 
dressed  in  the  costumes  of  our  dead,  and  it  is  to  be 
feared  that  the  new  Emperor  was  able  to  escape  with 
them." 

This  Emperor,  Hon-Fo-Tsen,  who,  in  fact,  did  suc- 
ceed in  fleeing  from  Nang-King,  was  looked  upon  by 


PREFACE  vii 

the  real  Chinese  as  their  legitimate  sovereign,  and.  his 
descendants  in  secret  no  doubt  reigned  after  him  unin- 
terruptedly. 

Several  years  ago  a  very  remarkable  man,  who 
seemed  to  incarnate  in  himself  the  new  China,  dreamed 
of  a  pacific  and  genuine  reconciliation  of  the  two  in- 
imical races.  (He  had  many  dreams  indeed:  one  of 
them,  for  instance,  that  of  founding  the  United  States 
of  the  World.)  He  conceived  the  almost  unrealizable 
project  of  converting  to  his  ideas  the  Emperor  at  Pe- 
kin  himself  and  of  securing  his  help  to  reform  China 
without  the  spilling  of  any  blood.  His  name  was  Kan- 
You-Wey.  To  get  near  the  Emperor  he  opened  a 
school  at  Pekin  in  1889. 

Many  rumors,  though  very  conflicting  ones,  were  in 
circulation  concerning  the  personality  of  this  invisible 
Emperor  Kwang-Su,  kept  as  he  was  under  strict  guar- 
dianship, like  a  captive  in  the  heart  of  his  palace  and 
so  unknown  to  everyone.  Some  versions  declared  him 
alert,  well-read,  interested  in  modern  things;  others 
represented  him  as  feeble  in  body  and  spirit,  given  to 
excesses  and  incapable  of  action. 

Kan-You-Wey  would  believe  only  in  the  favorable 
version:  he  knew  besides  what  the  ministers  of  the 
Dowager  Regent  were  worth,  masters  with  her  of  the 
Imperial  power.  He  pitied  the  Imperial  victim.  His 
whole  heart  turned  toward  his  sovereign  because  he 
was  unhappy.  How  could  he  reach  him  in  his  quad- 
rupled walls?  How  win  the  attention  of  his  melan- 
choly idol?  Kan-You-Wey  ten  times  renewed  his  at- 
tempts, with  the  zeal  of  an  apostle,  and  succeeded 
finally,  in  1898,  thanks  to  one  of  his  disciples,  in  put- 
ting Ijefore  the  Emperor  a  memorial  that  he  had  pre- 
pared for  him. 


viii  PREFACE 

Then  the  phantom-sovereign  roused  himself.  Much 
struck  with  these  insurgent  ideas,  he  wanted  them  ex- 
plained to  him  in  detail,  and  gave  an  audience  to  the 
reformer.  He  surrendered  at  once  to  the  influence  of 
this  great  spirit,  made  him  his  minister,  intimate  and 
confidant;  and,  sustained  by  his  counsel,  achieved  at 
last  the  control  of  his  affairs. 

It  is  at  this  moment  of  the  reign  of  Kwang-Su  that 
our  play  takes  place.  The  Emperor  himself  is  the 
hero,  and  Kan-You-Wey  figures  in  it  under  the  name 
of  Fount-in-the-Forest. 

Judith  Gautier  and  Pierre  Loti. 


Act      I — First  Tableau. 

The  Gardens  of  the  Palace  at  Nang-King. 

Second  Tableau. 

The  Throne  Room  of  the  Palace  at  Nang- 
King. 

Act    II — The  Pavilion  of  the  Empress. 

Act  III — Interior  of  the  Imperial  Citadel  at  Nang- 
King. 

Act    IV — First  Tableau. 

The  Place  of  Execution  at  the  Base  of  the 
Ramparts,  Pekin. 

Second  Tableau 

The  Grand  Throne  Room  in  the  Palace  at 
Pekin. 


DRAMATIS  PERSONS 


The  Emperor  of  Peking,  a  Tartar  of  the  Tsing 

(Pure)  Dynasty  (aged  30) 
FouNT-iN-THE-FoREST,   Councillor  to  the  Tartar 

Emperor 


Arrow-Bearer 
Faithful  Prince 
Winged  Prince 


J 


Chinese  dignitaries  of  the 
Court  of  Nanking 

The  Son  of  Springtime,  the  little  Chinese  Emperor 

at  Nanking  (aged  seven  or  eight) 
Veiled-Light,  the  Empress's  Councillor 
Chief  Astrologer 
A  Tartar  General 
Poplar,  a  high  Mandarin 
Rock 

Fir-Sapling 
Humpback 
Strong-arm 
Two  Tartar  Spies 
Two  Tartar  Executioners 
An  Eunuch 
The  Daughter  of  Heaven,  Chinese  Empress  of 

the  Ming  (Bright)  Dynasty  (aged  twenty-four 

or  twenty-five) 
Golden  Lotus 

Ladies-in-waiting     to     the 
Empress 


Gardeners  at  the  Nanking  Palace 


j^ 


Cinnamon 
Tranquil  Beauty, 
Pearl 


J 


Governess  of  the  Palace  at  Nanking 

Governess  of  the  Palace  at  Peking 

Street  Vendors  of  Sweetmeats  and  Flowers  at 

Peking 
High  Mandarins,  Common  People,  Chinese  and 

Tartar  Soldiers 

Time:  China  at  the  Present  Day 


ACT  I 


First  Tableau 

THE  GARDEN  OF  THE  PALACE  AT  NAN- 
KING. 

To  the  left,  the  pavilion  of  the  ladies-in-waiting,  in 
front  of  which  is  a  Uower-wreathed  verandah. 
Through  the  trees  and  the  hushes  in  full  bloom, 
roofs  of  yellow  earthenware,  with  upturned 
gable-ends  and  decorated  with  monsters,  can 
be  seen.  Great  twisted  cedars,  pools,  rivulets, 
curved  bridges  of  marble  and  red  lacquer. 
Preparations  are  on  foot  for  a  fete.  In  the 
background  servants  are  setting  up  banners, 
lances,  and  emblems  of  every  shape.  In  the 
foreground,  gardeners  are  putting  the  garden 
in  order  and  sweeping  away  the  rain  of  Uowers 
which  has  fallen  from  the  trees.  The  sun  is 
rising. 


The  Daughter  of  Heaven 


SCENE  I 

Rock,  Fir  Sapling,  Strong-arm,  Humpback, 
gardeners.  In  the  distance  a  hell  and  a  drum  can 
he  heard. 

Rock 

[Stopping  his  work  and  listening.']  Do  you  hear 
the  great  bronze  bell  and  the  drum?  Another 
Prince  is  passing  through  the  Gateway  of  State  and 
making  his  entrance  into  our  Palace  of  Nanking. 

Fir-Sapling 
lYes,  I  hear but  I  would  rather  see. 

Strong-arm 
Beautiful  sights  are  not  for  us  to  see. 

Rock 
The  great  ceremonies  do  not  need  the  gaze  of 
such  as  us. 

Fir-Sapling 

Yes!  we  know  that.  Our  duty  is  to  work  on  in 
silence, —  patiently  to  prepare  the  beauty  of  the 
festival  which  is  not  for  our  eyes. 


4  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Strong-arm 

Are  you  complaining  ? Every  creature  must 

accept  the  place  in  life  which  falls  to  its  lot. 
Rock 
That  law  governs  all.     There  are  some  animals 
that  are  proud  and  splendid,  birds  with  magnificent 
plumage,  and  there  are  also  rats  and  horrible  in- 
sects, which  inspire  loathing. 

Strong-arm 
Among  trees  there  are  kings,  and  among  flowers 
princesses. 

Rock 

And  many  poor  plants  have  neither  beauty  nor 
perfume. 

Fir-Sapling 

The  rain  refreshes  them  just  the  same,  and  the 
sun  warms  them. 

Humpback 

It  sometimes  happens  that  chance  favours  the 
most  humble.  Listen  to  me.  Though  I  was  in  no 
way  to  blame,  I  have  witnessed  a  sight  which  I  was 
forbidden  to  see. 

Strong-arm 

You?    You  have  witnessed  such  a  sight? 

Fir-Sapling 

What  was  it?    Tell  us. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  5 

Humpback 
Well,  it  was  yesterday,  after  sundown.  The 
other  gardeners  had  just  gone  away;  I  had  not  yet 
finished  my  task,  but  remained  to  polish  one  of  those 
great  marble  lions,  at  the  Gateway  of  State.  I  was 
working  all  unsuspicious,  when  suddenly  I  heard  the 
great  drum  and  the  clanging  of  the  bell,  and  I  saw 
the  watchers  descend  from  their  tower  to  open  the 
great  gate.  The  guards  and  generals  and  ministers 
were  all  running.  I  heard  it  said  that  the  new  ar- 
rival was  the  most  important  of  all  the  invited 
guests,  the  Viceroy  of  the  Southern  Provinces. 
How  could  I  make  my  escape  in  the  midst  of  all 
these  wonderful  personages?  It  was  impossible! 
I  hid  behind  one  of  the  huge  paws  of  the  lion  and 
made  myself  very  small.     No  one  took  any  notice 

of  me and  I  saw,  I  saw  through  the  pierced 

globe,  you  know,  which  the  lion  holds  in  his 
clutch . 

Fir-Sapling 

You  saw  the  Viceroy  of  the  South  enter  with  his 
retinue  ? 

Yes,  I  saw !  Oh !  such  costumes  of  silk  and  gold ! 
Such  horses  shining  with  gems!  Such  banners! 
And  some  terrible  faces,  too,  some  glances  awful  in 

their  pride! But  when  he  came,  oh!  then  I 

understood  that  besides  him  all  the  others  counted 
for  naught.     He  was  pale,  with  a  very  weary  air,  on 


6  THE-  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

a  horse  led  by  two  attendants His  costume 

was  simple,  but  seemed  richer  than  all  the  others 

He  was  so  imposing  that  my  heart  would  no 

longer  beat  in  my  breast,  and  it  seemed  to  me  that 
if  only  he  turned  his  unseeing  eyes  towards  me,  I 
should  drop  dead. 

Fir-Sapling 
Ah,  was  it  like  that?     If  one  feels  like  that  for 
no  more  than  a  Viceroy,  how  would  it  be  if  one  were 
gazed  upon  by  the  Emperor  himself? 

Humpback 

But  I  assure  you,  no  one  who  has  not  seen  him 

can 

Fir-Sapling 
Hush !  Hush !     Here  comes  a  Palace  official. 


SCENE  II 

Rock,  Fir-Sapling,  Strong-arm,  Humpback, 
Arrow-Bearer,  a  Palace  official. 

Arrow-Bearer 
So  this  is  the  way  you  do  your  work  ?    You  frit- 
ter away  in  foolish  chatter  the  few  precious  mo- 
ments which  are  left. 

Humpback 
The  work  will  be  finished,  my  Lord. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  7 

Arrow-Bearer 
Will  be  finished!     What,  when  I  see  the  ground 

still  strewn  with  petals  and  dead  flowers and 

here,  of  all  places,  around  the  Pavilion  of  the 
Ladies-in- Waiting.  [Aside]  where  blooms  that  liv- 
ing flower  whom  I  adore. 

Humpback 
No  sooner  have  we  put  all  straight  than  the  spite- 
ful wind  shakes  the  branches  and  we  have  to  begin 
all  over  again. 

Arrow-Bearer 

Remove  them  from  the  moss,  at  all  events 

Those  faded  flowers  look  like  so  many  stains. 

SCENE  HI 

Rock,  Fir-Sapling,  Strong-arm,  Humpback, 
Arrow-Bearer,  Golden  Lotus,  Cinnamon, 
Pearl,  Tranquil  Beauty  —  Ladies  in  Waiting. 

The  ladies  appear  hestitatingly  on  the  verandah 
of  the  Pavilion.  Golden  Lotus  advances  and 
rests  her  elbows  on  the  balustrade.  Arrow- 
Bearer  gazes  upon  her  with  evident  emotion. 

Cinnamon     [in  a  whisper'] 

I  thought  I  recognised  the  voice  of  my  lord  Ar- 
row-Bearer. 


8  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Tranquil  Beauty 
Golden  Lotus  recognised  it  before  you. 

Pearl 
That  young  man  is  always  stealing  about  here. 

Tranquil  Beauty 
We  all  know  the  reason. 

Cinnamon 
See,  he  greets  our  companion  as  if  she  were  a 
Queen. 

Tranquil  Beauty 
Is  she  not  the  Queen  of  his  heart? 

Arrow-Bearer 
The  breeze  of  spring  time  caresses  me  gently  and 
intoxicates  me  with  the  perfume  of  the  lotus. 

Tranquil  Beauty 
The  allusion  is  evident. 

Cinnamon 
It  is  well  known  that  The  breeze  of  spring-time 
signifies  love. 

Pearl 
And  her  name  is  Golden  Lotus. 

Golden  Lotus     [to  Arrow-Bearer] 
My  lord,  I  heard  that  you  ordered  the  flowers  to 
be  removed Was  I  misinformed  ? 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  9 

Arrow-Bearer 

I  dared  to  raise  my  voice  to  give  that  order 

Can  I  have  displeased  you? 

Golden  Lotus 

Oh !  no But  I  desire  to  ask  your  indulgence 

for  the  lovely  dead  flowers.  Permit  them  to  re- 
main there  as  a  carpet  at  the  foot  of  our  pavilion. 
Though  broken  from  their  stems,  they  are  still  beau- 
tiful and  keep  their  perfume. 

Arrow-Bearer 
What  glory  for  me  to  obey  you!     I  envy  those 
flowers  which  will  be  trod  by  your  little  feet. 

[He  makes  a  sign  for  the  gardeners  to  with' 
draw."] 

Tranquil  Beauty 
[Pulling  at  the  sleeve  of  Golden  Lotus] 
Enough,  Golden  Lotus.     It  is  not  proper  for  us 
to  listen  to  such  remarks. 

Arrow-Bearer 
Have  you  nothing  more  to  say  to  me? 

Tranquil  Beauty 
Let  us  go.    Come,  we  must  return  to  the  Pavilion. 
Golden  Lotus     [to  Tranquil  Beautyl 

No,  stay  a  moment. 

[to  Arrow-Bearer] 
My  lord,  you  know  news  travels  slowly  to  tfie 


lo  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

quarters  of  the  Ladies-in- Waiting,  and  my  curiosity 
is  eager  on  this  most  solemn  day,  when  our  Empress 
is  to  restore  the  throne  of  the  bright  dynasty  of  the 
Mings  and  to  take  on  her  the  regency  of  the  Empire. 

At  what  precise  hour  will  the  festival  begin  ? 

Do  you  know  the  order  of  the  ceremonies  ? 

Arrow-Bearer 

What  great  pleasure  for  me  to  be  able  to  inform 
you.  The  Criers  of  the  Minister  of  Rites  pro- 
claimed last  night  the  order  of  the  ceremonies.  I 
have  taken  note  of  what  I  heard. 

[He  takes  from  his  sleeve  a  small  scroll.^ 
I  hope  to  write  several  poems  about  this  later.     It 
is  a  date  quite  unique  in  the  annals  of  China. 

Golden  Lotus 

Oh !  read  it  to  us,  my  lord. 

[The  young  girls  eagerly  gather  about  Arrow- 
Bearer.] 

Arrow-Bearer     [reading'] 

"  On  this  holy  day  on  which  our  Empress,  laying 
aside  her  mourning  for  her  illustrious  Husband,  is 
about  to  take  up  the  power  in  the  name  of  Her  son, 
in  defiance  of  that  usurper  who  for  three  hundred 
years  has  held  all  China  under  his  yoke :  An  order 
to  all  high  Dignitaries  of  the  Palace,  to  the  Mas- 
ters of  the  Ceremonies,  to  the  Grand  Secretaries  of 
State,  to  the  Ministers,  Warriors,  and  Princes,  to 
the  Guardians  of  the  Imperial  Seal!    Let  them 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  ii 

hold  themselves  in  readiness  before  the  last  watch  of 
night  and  gather  together  all  the  precious  objects 
which  they  have  in  their  keeping  so  as  to  place  them, 
according  to  the  due  rites,  on  the  six  golden  tables 
in  the  Palace  of  Great  Purity.  Let  the  Master-in- 
Chief  of  the  Music  place  orchestras  and  singers  in 
the  galleries  and  in  the  Throne-room.  As  soon  as 
the  last  watch  shall  have  sounded,  let  the  Astrologer 
go  to  inform  Her  Majesty  the  Empress  that  the 
chosen  hour  has  come  when  she  must  repair  to  the 
Temple  of  her  Ancestors  to  offer  the  prescribed  sac- 
rifices to  the  August  Shades.  Her  Majesty  will  be 
attended  only  by  the  Princesses  and  Her  Ladies-in- 
Waiting. 

Tranquil  Beauty 

By  us ! Then  let  us  return  to  the  Pavilion, 

we  must  prepare  at  once. 

Golden  Lotus 
We  shall  be  told  when  it  is  time. 

Arrow-Bearer     [continuing  to  read"] 

From  the  Temple  of  Ancestors  to  the  Palace  of 
Great  Purity,  let  all  Dignitaries,  Officers,  Guards, 
Secretaries  form  up  in  a  line  on  either  side  of  the 
road  along  which  the  Empress  will  pass  in  a  palan- 
quin, ornamented  with  dragons  and  phoenixes,  to 
the  foot  of  the  staircase  leading  to  the  throne-room. 


12  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

where  the  grand  ceremony  of  investiture  will  take 
place. 

Golden  Lotus 
Will  women  be  present  at  that? 

Arrow-Bearer 
Yes,  the  Princesses  and  the  Ladies-in-Waiting 
will  form  the  retinue  of  the  Empress  and  group 
themselves  about  her. 

Golden  Lotus 
Ah !     I  was  not  sure It  was  that  particu- 
larly which  I  wished  to  know. 

Arrow-Bearer 
The  young  Emperor  will  be  close  to  the  brave 
mother  who  is  to  reign  in  his  name.     Reign,  you 
know  how!     Reign  in  mystery,  in  anguish,  faced 
by  insurmountable  difficulties 

Golden  Lotus 
How  many  hearts  beat  for  Her,  how  many  strong 
arms  are  ready  to  defend  Her ! 

Tranquil  Beauty 
Have  all  the  invited  guests  arrived  at  the  Palace  ? 

Arrow-Bearer 
I   believe  so.     The  most   powerful   of  all,   the 
Viceroy  of  the  South,  has  been  lodged  not  far  from 
here,  in  the  Pavilion  of  Limpid  Fountains.     H  the 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  13 

bushes  were  not  so  leafy  you  would  be  able  to  see 
the  roof  of  his  residence  from  your  Pavilion. 

Cinnamon     [In  a  whisper"] 
I  should  love  to  get  a  look  at  the  Prince. 

Golden  Lotus 
One  question  more,  my  Lord,     Does  not  some 
new    danger    threaten    us?     Dark    rumours    have 
reached  us — ■ —    Are  our  reconquered  Provinces 
well  garrisoned? 

Arrow-Bearer 
Alas!  even  during  the  hours  of  joy,  anxiety  as- 
sails us.  Alas  that,  when  the  delicious  perfume  of  a 
flower  caresses  us,  we  must  watch  with  dread  the 
storm  which  is  always  threatening  on  the  horizon. 
The  gazelle  had  a  little  respite  because  the  tiger  was 
wounded.  H  he  recovers,  he  will  immediately  be- 
gin again  the  pursuit  of  his  prey. 

Golden  Lotus 
What  is  the  meaning  of  that  allusion? 

Arrow-Bearer 

That  the  Tartar  Emperor,  who  reigns  at  Peking 
and  considers  us,  the  dispossessed  Chinese,  as  rebels, 
has  just  been  vanquished  in  the  war  which  the  dan- 
gerous Western  Barbarians  made  against  him. 
With  great  difficulty  he  has  obtained  peace,  and  he 
has  not  yet  recovered  from  the  effects  of  his  defeat. 


14  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Golden  Lotus 
Ah !  yes,  the  rumor  of  that  war  came  to  us.     But 
what  was  the  cause  of  it? 

Tranquil  Beauty 

How  poHtics  interest  her ! 
Pearl 

Yes !  when  that  young  man  is  her  teacher. 

Arrow-Bearer 
The  cause  of  it  was  pecuhar.  A  Prince,  kins- 
man to  the  Tartar  usurper,  conceived  the  foolish 
idea  of  mustering  an  army  of  bandits  to  hurl  upon 
the  hated  Christians  in  the  north  of  China.  But 
the  horde,  once  let  loose,  got  out  of  hand.  It  rushed 
against  the  barbarian  strangers,  whose  presence  has 
for  a  long  time  been  tolerated  in  the  neighbourhood 
of  the  Palace.  Then  the  armies  of  the  Western 
nations  came  to  sack  Peking,  whence  the  Tartar 
Emperor  fled  with  his  entire  Court. 

Golden  Lotus 
Doubtless  it  is  unhappy  for  us  that  the  usurper 
has  made  peace 

Arrow-Bearer 
Who  knows?     Perhaps  China  might  have  fallen 
under  a  more  evil  dominion  still. 

Tranquil  Beauty 
Is  the  lesson  not  finished  yet? 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  15 

Golden  Lotus     [withdrawing'] 
It  is  time,  my  lord,  for  us  to  prepare  for  the  fes- 
tival. 

Arrow-Bearer 

It  is  you  who  will  beautify  the  setting. 

Golden  Lotus 

Ah,  do  not  make  sport  of  me until  we  meet 

again,  my  lord. 

Arrow-Bearer 
[^Seeing  someone  come  from  the  right.] 
Go    into    the    house    quickly!     Your    illustrious 

neighbour,  the  Viceroy  of  the  South,  is  walking  in 

the  garden  and  comes  this  way. 

Tranquil  Beauty 
'[Lowering  a  bamboo  blind] 
If  we  could  only  see  him  through  the  blind! 

Arrow-Bearer 
Farewell!     I  must  give  place  to  a  nobler  visitor. 
[The  young  girls  go  in,  and  Arrow-Bearer  hur- 
ries off.] 

SCENE  IV 

The  Tartar  Emperor,  disguised  as  the  Viceroy 
of  the  South,  with  Fount-in-the-Forest,  his  min- 
ister. 


i6  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Fount 
I  see  no  one Your  Majesty  may  come  for- 
ward. 

Emperor 

Your  Majesty !    Do  you  wish  to  ruin  me? 

Fount 
Oh  I    Sire. 

Emperor 
Again ! 

Fount 

When  we  are  alone,  I  cannot  refrain 

Emperor 

You  must Behind  those  blinds,  probably 

spies  are  watching  us. 

Fount 
Eaves-droppers,  rather.    That  is  the  Pavilion  of 
Ladies-in- Waiting. 

Emperor 

The    Pavilion    of    the    Ladies-in- Waiting 

So  there  are  also  Ladies-in- Waiting  here?  In  very 
truth,  it  seems  to  me  that  I  am  dreaming.  Yet  I 
knew  what  I  came  hither  to  find  that  after  three  cen- 
turies of  reign  the  Emperors  of  my  dynasty  had 
never  succeeded  in  subduing  the  secret  resistance  of 
the  conquered  —  I  knew  that.  That  in  the  Southern 
Provinces  the  rebels  had  never  yet  bowed  the  head, 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  17 

aye,  I  knew  that.  That  Nanking  was  their  capital 
and  that  here  a  descendant  of  the  Mings  had  even 
reigned.  For  more  than  seventeen  years  before  be- 
ing crushed  by  our  armies,  of  all  that  I  was  aware 

But  I  thought  this  phantom  empire  was  more 

mysterious,  more  hidden  in  the  dark,  and  here  I  find 
a  palace  as  beautiful  as  mine,  with  guards,  digni- 
taries, ministers,  a  ceremonial  regulated  as  at  my 

own  Court Our  Empire  is  too  large  it  seems, 

to  be  governed  by  one  head  alone I  wished  to 

see  with  my  own  eyes.  I  was  prepared  for  all  sur- 
prises, yet  this  is  beyond  me. 

[He  sits  down  on  a  bench  under  a  tree  in  full 
hloomJ] 

Fount 
What  is  more  surprising  still  is  that  you  are  here 
unknown  to  all ;  here  in  the  midst  of  your  implacable 
enemies,  and  clad  in  the  fashion  of  three  hundred 
years  ago. 

Emperor 
It  is  a  happy  coincidence  that  this  Viceroy  of  the 

South  whose  place  I  have  taken  is  of  my  build 

What  can  he  be  thinking  of  this  adventure,  in  the 
ship  where  he  is  now  held  a  prisoner  for  me  ?  What 
can  he  imagine,  do  you  suppose? 

Fount 
Anything  —  except  the  truth. 


i8  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Emperor 
Yet  if  he  should  escape,  would  I  not  be  lost  in- 
deed? 

Fount 

My  heart  feels  as  though  in  a  vice.  Are  you  not 
lost  in  any  case  ? 

Emperor 

Silence!  After  all,  what  have  I  to  risk?  My 
life?  Under  the  shadow  of  that  throne  from  which 
they  would  banish  me,  is  not  life  an  unending  agony? 
With  what  crushing  weight  do  the  slow  hours  fall 
upon  me.  Who  can  describe  the  horror  of  that  in- 
dolent stagnation,  of  that  idle  solitude?  Oh!  the 
rage  which  consumes  the  soul,  when  one  is  the 
Master  and  yet  has  no  power !  If  I  find  death  here, 
I  shall  be  a  thousand  times  happier  for  having  come. 
All  my  unhappy  existence  down  to  the  present  has 
not  been  worth  as  much  to  me  as  these  last  few 
days  of  flight  and  travel,  this  rapture  of  escape,  for 
a  time,  from  that  grey,  silky  web  wherein  I  am  a 
prisoner.  Oh!  to  work,  to  work  in  the  sunshine, 
to  work  like  a  man,  to  attempt  some  daring  act, 
which,  if  I  die,  will  at  least  remain  behind  to  hon- 
our my  memory. 

Fount 

You  are  wonderful,  you  are  noble,  you  are  fear- 
less. But  I,  who  am  as  nothing,  I  have  the  right  to 
tremble. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  19 

Emperor 
It  is  you,  however,  who  have  awakened  my  spirit, 
who  have  aroused  it  from  its  deadly  torpor ;  it  is  you 
who  have  inspired  me  with  will  and  strength.  Have 
you  not  approved  of  my  project?  Have  you  not 
found  noble,  and  worthy  of  a  sage,  the  dream  which 
carried  me  away. 

Fount     [kneeling   before   the   Emperor] 
I  cried  aloud  with  enthusiasm,  I  wept  with  emo- 
tion when   I   grasped  your  sublime  thought 

But  it  is  an  impossible  dream,  and  the  wish  to  real- 
ise it  is  a  madness  as  generous  as  it  is  vain.  I  fear 
for  you.  Sire,  my  well  beloved  Master,  I  fear! 

Emperor 
You  fear  what?     Up  to  to-day  has  not  my  plan 
worked  out  as  if  by  magic. 

Fount 
Up  to  to-day,  yes,  I  cannot  deny  it. 

•  Emperor 
My  departure  from  the  Palace,  which  seemed  so 
perilous  —  not  an  obstacle !  You,  my  dear  minis- 
ter, enter  your  official  palanquin,  I  was  at  your  side 
in  the  costume  of  your  Secretary!  I  smiled,  you 
remember,   like   a   schoolboy   playing  truant.     My 

manner  was  so  gay  as  to  frighten  you. And 

your  poor  little  secretary,  your  pupil,  as  dear  to  you 


20  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

as  a  son,  consented  to  take  my  place  in  my  bed  with 
its  funereal  silk  draperies,  in  that  sepulchral  cham- 
ber, railed  and  walled  in  again  and  again,  where  one 
stifles  with  the  perfumes  which  are  too  sweet.  If 
I  come  through  safe,  what  can  I  do  in  recognition 
of  this  boy's  tremendous  devotion,  who  acted  as  sub- 
stitute for  the  martyr  which  I  was,  who  entered  into 
the  mummied  body  of  an  Emperor  of  China? 

Fount 
Will  he  know  how  to  play  the  part  which  he  as- 
sumed ? 

Emperor 
Oh!  it  is  an  easy  part,  that  of  sovereign  in  my 
sad,  closed  room.  One  sleeps,  reads,  meditates,  and 
keeps  one's  self  from  doing  more.  I  have  made  use 
of  the  weapon  which  is  so  often  used  against  me.  I 
have  been  accused  of  being  ill  when  I  am  not  so. 
This  time  it  is  I  that  pretend.  Who  will  dare  to 
doubt? 

Fount 

And  the  doctor  who  is  taking  care  of  the  mock 
Emperor  —  are  you  sure  of  his  fidelity  ? 

Emperor 

My  doctor  ?  What  interest  would  he  have  in  be- 
traying me?  He  thinks  I  am  engaged  in  some  af- 
fair of  gallantry  and  I  have  promised  him  a  province 
if  my  absence  is  not  discovered.     He  is  watching 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  21 

his  patient  carefully  and  has  strictly  forbidden  any- 
one to  go  near  him. 

Fount 
That  is  capital! 

Emperor 
Even  in  my  city  of  Peking  there  is  no  risk  of  my 
being  recognised,  since  none  of  my  subjects  have 
even  seen  my  face.  Flight  is  made  easy  for  an  in- 
visible emperor!  And  once  on  the  ship  —  so 
freighted  with  your  anxiety,  do  you  remember? 
what  rapture  it  was  to  fly  through  space,  light  as  the 
cloudlets  of  smoke  which  followed  in  our  track ! 

Fount 
It  is  true,  the  kidnapping  of  the  Viceroy  and  his 
companions  was  the  more  dangerous  feat,  but  our 
sailors  managed   it  marvellously.     The  immortals 
are  with  us,  your  Majesty. 

Emperor 

Poor  little  Viceroy!  As  the  escort  who  came 
to  greet  him  had  never  seen  him,  nothing  was 
simpler  than  that  I  should  be  taken  for  him.  I  told 
you,  Fount-in-the-Forest,  that  all  must  be  as  simple 
as  child's-play! 

Fount 

Sire!  Did  you  compose  novels  of  adventure  they 
would  be  more  interesting  even  than  those  of  the 
famous  Lo  Kwan-chung. 


22  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Emperor 
Well,  you  see,  they  left  me  but  two  things  in  my 
splendid  solitude;  love  and  opium.     Opium  exalts 
the  imagination,  and  I  have  had  plenty  of  leisure  to 
dream  about  my  plans. 

Fount 
I  plan  out  the  future  in  my  writings  —  prophet- 
ically, perhaps,  but  then  I  leave  to  the  generations 
that  are  to  come  the  duty  of  fulfilling  my  prophe- 
sies. You,  Sire,  are  offering  your  own  blood  as  a 
sacrifice  to  assuage  unconquerable  hate.  The  Im* 
mortal  gods  shall  bow  to  you  as  to  their  equal :  but 
those  on  whom  you  wish  to  heap  your  kindness  will 
destroy  you. 

Emperor 
Who  knows  ?     Hatred  often  yields  to  love. 

Fount 
Not  such  immemorial  hatred  as  this.  Nothing  has 
softened  it,  and  for  these  three  hundred  years  it  has 
not  even  known  the  weakness  of  a  love  affair. 
Never  has  a  Tartar  married  a  Chinese  woman,  never 
has  a  Chinese  loved  a  Tartar  woman.  During  the 
three  years  since  you  issued  the  decree  authorising 
marriages  between  the  two  races,  none  have  availed 
themselves  of  the  permission. 

Emperor 
Yes,  there  has  been  one  marriage 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  23 

Fount 
One  marriage!     One  of  your  courtiers,  to  please 
you,  married  the  daughter  of  one  of  your  ministers; 
and  do  you  recall  the  number  of  favours  by  which 
you  have  had  to  repay  that  act  of  sacrifice  ? 

Emperor 
You  are,  how^ever,  a  Chinese,  and  I  believe  that 
you  love  me  a  little. 

Fount 
On  me  alone  you  have  shed  the  light  of  your  soul ; 
and  I,   moreover,   have   cast   away   the   prejudices 
which  fetter  life.     I  love  you  and  I  admire  you. 

Emperor 
Well,  that  is  my  recompense 

Fount 
Someone  is  coming !     We  must  take  care 


SCENE  V 

Light  Palanquins,  each  carried  by  two  men,  stop 
before  the  Pavilion.  Two  attendants  accompany 
them  and  mount  the  steps. 

Fount 
Some   eunuchs,   come,   no   doubt,   to   fetch  the 
Ladies-in- Waiting. 


24  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Emperor 

I  thought  it  was  forbidden  to  employ  eunuchs  out- 
side of  my  Palace  of  Peking ! 

Fount 

All  privileges  are  allowed  in  the  Palace  of  Nan- 
king. 

[They  step  aside  until  the  Ladies-in-Waiting  shall 
have  passed."] 


SCENE  VI 

The  Emperor,  Fount-in-the-Forest,  the  La- 
lES-iN- Waiting,  and  the  Eunuchs. 

Tranquil   Beauty     [In   a   whisper   to   Golden 
Lotus] 
Those  lords  are  still  there. 

Golden  Lotus 
They  have  a  noble  mien. 

Pearl 
They  are  secretly  watching  us. 

Cinnamon 
Let  us  pretend  that  we  do  not  see  them. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  2$ 

Eunuch 
The  Empress  is  about  to  leave  Her  Palace.     You 
must  continue  your  gossip  to-morrow. 

Tranquil  Beauty 
If  we  are  late,  the  fault  is  yours. 

Pearl 
You  should  have  informed  us  sooner. 

Eunuch 

Quick,  quick,  the  last  watch  of  night  is  about  to 
sound. 

[They  enter  their  palanquins,  and  go  on  their 
ivay  in  a  single  file  preceded  and  followed  by  an 
Eunuch.] 


SCENE  vn 

The  Emperor  and  Fount-in-the-Forest 

Fount 
They  are  pretty. 

Emperor 
And  so  gracefully  dressed !    It  makes  me  regret 
the  fact  that  my  victorious  ancestors  imposed  the 
Tartar  costume  on  the  people.    These  Chinese  robes 
are  so  much  more  beautiful. 


26  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Fount 
They  make  the  women  appear  more  slender  and 
delicate. 

Emperor 

Do  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  garb  themselves 
in  the  old  way? 

Fount 

In  their  homes,  no  doubt,  they  do.  Out  of  doors, 
in  the  streets,  they  still  keep  up  a  pretence  of  wear- 
ing the  new. 

Emperor 
The  Viceroy  whom  I  sent  to  Nanking  is  certainly 
not  ignorant  of  all  this.     Why  has  he  not  informed 
us? 

Fount 

Your  Viceroy,  Sire,  is  not  a  Tartar,  but  a  Chinese, 
which  means  that  he  espouses  the  cause  of  the  rebels. 
Yet  at  Peking,  outside  the  walls  of  your  Palace  of 
Eternal  Silence,  what  goes  on  is  fairly  well  known. 
While  you  are  dreaming  of  ultimate  peace,  they  are 
preparing  for  war. 

Emperor 

Alas! 

[Trumpets,  xylophones  and  gongs  are  heard  in 
turn,  each  Hve  times.  Then  the  watchmen  pass 
slowly. 1 

Fount 
The  fifth  watch. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  27^ 

Emperor 
Must  we  go  in? 

Fount 
Not  yet.     The  Empress  is  going  to  the  Temple  of 
her  Ancestors.     That  will  give  us  a  little  time. 

Emperor 

The  Empress ! In  a  few  moments  I  shall 

see  Her!     The  beautiful  vision  I  have  dreamed  of 

is  to  be  destroyed  by  the  actuality Ah!  this 

woman,  who  must  have  the  uttermost  horror  for 
me,  can  have  no  idea  that  for  months  past  she  has 
filled  all  my  thoughts,  has  haunted  my  solitary  hours. 
If  She  only  knew  that  the  phantom  Emperor,  iso- 
lated in  his  palace  at  Peking,  wrote  poems  in  her 
honour  night  after  night ! 

Fount 
She  is  said  to  be  beautiful  and  charming,  but 
that  is  perhaps  only  a  courtier's  tale. 

Emperor 
If  She  is  not,  then  my  sacrifice  will  be  only  the 
more  meritorious. 

Fount 
Ah!  see,  there  she  comes.     She  is  crossing  the 
garden,  and,  as  no  one  is  here,  her  palanquin  is 
wide  open. 


28  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Emperor 

Ah! 

[Through  the  flowering  bushes  he  gases  ardently 
at  her.     The  sound  of  a  march  is  heard.'\ 

But  I  recognise  Her,  my  friend,  that  woman  so 
beautiful  and  tender,  so  noble  and  delicate,  that  rare, 

that  imperial  flower ! Friend,  what  do  you 

think  of  this  omen?     It  is  She,  absolutely  She  — 
She  whom  I  have  seen  reflected  in  the  mirror  of  my 

dreams 

Fount 

The  eyes  of  the  dragon  traverse  all  space. 

{The  Emperor  seats  himself  again  on  the  bench, 
leaning  on  Fount-in-the-Forest,  almost  faint- 
ing.'] 

Emperor 

See  how  this  emotion  shatters  my  strength! 

Fount 
You  are  like  the  sacred  lyre,  whose  strings  vi- 
brate at  the  slightest  inspiration. 


SCENE  vni 

The  Emperor  and  Fount-in-the-Forest,  the 
little  Emperor  of  Nanking, — a  child  of  seven  or 
eight  years,  who  enters  playing  with  a  shuttle-cock 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  29 

in  the  Chinese  fashion,  with  graceful  movements. 
Some  Royal  nurses  follow  him,  two  serving-men 
remain  at  the  back. 

First  Nurse     [trying    to    take    the    shuttlecock 
away'\ 
Sire,  take  care  not  to  overheat  yourself. 

Child 
No !  no !  give  it  back  to  me ;  I  want  to  play  some 
more. 

Second    Nurse     [Respectfully    approaching    the 
Tartar  Emperor] 
Sir,  no  one  is  permitted  to  remain  in  the  presence 
of  our  Majesty,  the  young  Emperor. 

Emperor 

It  is  he! 
[The  shuttlecock  with  which  the  little  Emperor  of 
Nanking  is  playing  falls  on  the  knees  of  the  big 
Emperor^  who  takes  it  in  his  hands. 1 

Child  [To  the  Second  Nurse] 
Leave  him  there,  I  want  him  to  stay.     You  see 
that  he  is  ill." 

[To  the  Emperor] 

Why  are  you  so  pale  ?     Are  you  ill  ? 

Emperor 
No,  Sire !    It  is  emotion  which  has  made  me  pale. 


30  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN      " 

Child 
What  about? 

Emperor 
At  seeing  you,  perhaps. 

Child 
That  is  queer.     Do  you  think  I  play  shuttlecock 
so  well? 

Emperor 

With  infinite  grace. 

Child 
Soon,  during  the  ceremony,  I  shall  have  to  be 
perfectly  quiet.     So  I  am  running  about  now,  to 
have  more  patience  later Do  you  understand  ? 

Emperor 
[^Handing  the  child  the  shuttlecock'\ 
Do  you  wish  to  go  on  with  your  game? 

Child 
No!  keep  it  as  a  gift  from  me  to  your  son. 

Emperor 
I  have  no  son. 

Child 
Oh,  how  sad  that  is!     Very  well  then,  keep  it 
just  the  same,  in  memory  of  a  child  who  has  no 
father. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  31 

Emperor 
{^Detaching  a  jewel  from  his  girdle"] 
Thank  you!     Take  this  in  exchange  as  a  remem- 
brance from  a  man  whose  greatest  desire  is  to  have 
you  for  his  son. 

Child 
Oh!  thank  you 

Sire,  it  is  time 


First  Nurse 


Child 

It  is  a  little  dragon  —  an  Imperial  Dragon!    I 

recognise  it!     But  how  do  you  come  to  have  it? 

You  have  not  the  right  to  wear  it!     Do  not  be 

afraid,  I  will  tell  nobody.     Good-bye  till  next  time. 

Emperor 
Till  next  time ! 
[The  child  runs  away,  followed  by  his  nurses.     The 
Emperor  gases  after  him  until  he  is  out  of  sight.] 


SCENE  IX 

The  Emperor  and  Fount-in-the-Forest 

Fount 
You  are  still  all  of  a  tremble. 


32  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Emperor 

My  trouble  is  mixed  with  sweetness ■    Would 

it  not  seem  that  Heaven  approves  of  me  and  will  be 
my  ally  ?  This  child  comes  to  me,  defends  me,  is  un- 
easy because  of  my  pallor,  and  gives  me  his  play- 
thing  '    Ah!  how  precious  to  me  is  this  little 

gift. 

Fount 

Yes !    I  felt  with  you  the  emotion  of  that  chance 

encounter But  let  calm  descend  upon  your 

soul.  You  will  need  all  your  composure  not  to  be- 
tray yourself  during  the  ceremony  of  the  robing, 
for  this  time  you  are  not  playing  the  leading  part. 
Do  not  forget  the  three  obeisances,  the  nine  com- 
plete prostrations.  You  cannot  accustom  yourself 
to  bend  the  knee  to  another. 

Emperor 

But  I  know  all  these  fine  points  of  etiquette  better 
than  anyone,  for  am  I  not  condemned  always  to  see 
men  prostrated  at  my  feet,  touching  the  ground  with 
their  foreheads? 

[Officers,  Guards  and  Heralds  enter  at  the  back 
of  the  stage  and  begin  to  form  into  lines.  Some 
unfurling  banners.     The  Chiefs  give  out  orders^. 

Fount 
Let  us  return!    It  is  time,  since  you  must  re- 
hearse your  speech.     Above  all,  Sire,  change  noth- 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  33 

ing  in  it.     I  so  much  fear  that  you  will  betray 
yourself  by  some  imprudent  words. 

Emperor 
It  seems  too  commonplace,  that  speech  of  mine 

Since  I  have  seen  her,  Her,  I  must  compose 

another 

Fount 

Oh !  no,  I  beg  you.  You  might  distract  yourself, 
break  off  short,  or,  more  likely,  let  yourself  be  car- 
ried away  beyond  measure. 

Emperor 
You  may  prepare  an  opium-pipe  for  me.    Then 
my  mind  will  work  with  more  ease  and  clearness. 

Fount 
Oh!  you  promised  me  to  give  up  that  poison. 
You  know  full  well  that  it  is  the  complete  destruc- 
tion of  your  energies  and  your  will.  The  exalta- 
tion which  results  from  —  it,  you  know  very 
well  with  what  depression  you  must  pay  for  that 
later  on." 

Emperor 

Come !  come !  only  one  puff.    I  swear  to  you  this 
shall  be  the  last. 
[They  leave.     Trumpet-calls  are  heard  and  shouts 

of  command  as  the  curtain  falls.^ 


SECOND  TABLEAU 

The  throne-room  in  the  palace  of  Nanking,  seen 
from  the  side.  The  Empress  and  the  throne  upon 
which  she  is  seated  appear  in  profile.  The  Little 
Emperor  is  seated  near  her.  The  throne  is  raised 
on  a  number  of  steps;  the  Ladies-in- Waiting  are 
behind  the  Empress,  fanning  her  with  large,  feath- 
ered fans.  The  bodyguard  is  placed  on  the  steps  of 
the  throne,  and  each  man  is  holding  a  censer  con- 
taining Tibetan  incense.  All  the  dignitaries  and 
officials  are  standing,  in  order  of  rank.  At  the  back, 
across  a  colonnade,  open-air  galleries  may  be  seen,  in 
which  are  musicians  and  singers.  The  palanquin  of 
the  Empress,  with  its  dragons  of  gold,  is  also  vis- 
ible. Outside  the  crowd  can  be  vaguely  seen  and 
heard.  Opposite  the  throne,  on  a  platform,  are 
some  dancers  costumed  as  armed  warriors,  standing 
motionless.  Everyone  is  standing,  with  the  sole  ex- 
ception of  the  Empress  and  her  little  son. 

SCENE  I 

The  crowd,  the  Tartar  Emperor  and  Fount-in- 
the-Forest  (the  two  latter  still  disguised,  but  in 
full  official  costume),  the  Faithful  Prince. 

34 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  35 

The  Crowd     [crying  rhythmicallyl 

Ten  thousand  years ! 
Ten  thousand  years ! 

A  happy  life  to  our  King!  A  happy  and  a  long 
life  to  our  King. 

Ten  thousand  years !     Ten  thousand  years. 
l^The  music  continues  at  the  back.li 

Tartar  Emperor     [In  a  whisper  to  Fount-in- 
THE  Forest] 

This  old  palace  is  infinitely  more  beautiful  than 
mine.     Its  art  is  purer  and  more  exquisite. 

Fount     [Also  in  a  whisper'] 
Our  Chinese  art,  Sire,  in  all  its  ancient  purity. 

Emperor  [Smilingi 
You  have  remained  our  masters  in  all  things.  In 
comparison  with  you  we  shall  always  be  barbarians, 
we  the  invaders  and  the  conquerors.  Oh!  may  it 
be  the  unique  glory  of  my  reign  to  restore  the  noble 
Chinese  tradition  by  fusing  the  two  peoples  for  all 
time  to  come. 

Fount 

Let  us  not  speak  so  much,  well  beloved  master. 
We  are  being  watched!  And  do  not  forget  that 
soon  you  must  prostrate  yourself ! 

Emperor 
Before  Her  I    Oh !  that  will  be  an  easy  task. 


36  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Fount 
And  your  speech,  I  pray,  let  it  be  altogether  cor- 
rect and  commonplace  — —    The  fascination  which 
She  seems  to  exercise  over  you  terrifies  me  already. 

[Chorus,  singing  at  the  back'} 
Forefathers  of  my  race,  from  Heaven  look  down 

Upon  this  palace  with  benignant  eye! 
Your  son,  the  chosen  of  the  immortal  gods. 

See  now  I  mount  the  glorious  throne  on  high. 

\_The  dancers  execute  three  evolutions  of  the 
ritual  dance  known  as  the  Dance  of  the  Feather  and 
of  the  F  hit  el 

Chorus     [At  the  back"] 
Let  but  your  spirit  and  your  bravery. 

Your  virtues  be  the  guidance  of  my  life; 
Then  shall  I  triumph  over  evil  foes 

And  fear  no  fortune  in  the  fiercest  strife. 
[The  dancers  execute  three  more  figures.'} 

Chorus     [Again} 
The  Dragon,  on  my  standard  there  unfurled, 

Bathes  his  gold  scales  in  Heaven's  azure  pure. 
My  reign  shall  famous  be  all  times  to  come 

'Neath  his  protection,  powerful  and  sure. 

[The  dancers  complete  the  three  last  figures} 

MUSIC 

[The  master  of  ceremonies  approaches  the  guard- 
ian of  the  seals  salutes  him,  and  with  a  gesture  in- 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  37 

dicates  that  he  is  to  follow  him.  He  conducts  him 
to  a  golden  table  at  the  back  of  the  stage.  The 
guardian  of  the  Seals,  after  having  bent  the  knee, 
takes  from  that  table  the  great  seal  of  the  Em- 
pire, zvhich  lies  on  a  large  salver.  The  master  of 
the  ceremonies  then  conducts  him  to  the  foot  of  the 
throne  and  withdraws.  The  guardian  of  the  seals 
bends  the  knee  and  offers  the  seal  to  the  Faithful 
Prince.  When  the  Faithful  Prince  has  taken  it, 
the  guardian  kneels  before  the  throne,  makes  three 
prostrations,  rises,  and  withdraws  backwards. 
The  Faithful  Prince  bends  the  knee,  and  holding 
the  salver  with  both  hands,  offers  if  to  the  Empress, 
then  he  rises. ^ 

[The  music  stops'] 

Faithful  Prince  [To  the  Empress] 
In  the  name  of  all  the  princes  here  assembled,  in 
the  name  of  the  faithful  people  and  of  the  army- 
ready  to  die  for  the  Bright  Dynasty,  I  present  to 
Your  Majesty  the  most  sacred  treasure,  the  price- 
less trust  which  your  ancestors  have  transmitted 
to  us  from  generation  to  generation  —  the  Great 
Seal  of  State.  In  giving  You  this,  we  recognise  you 
as  the  Sovereign  of  the  Empire  during  the  minority 
of  your  beloved  Son.  Accept  the  decree  of  Heaven 
with  composure  and  reverence. 

[Two  Ladies-in- Waiting  descend  the  steps  of  the 


38  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Throne,  take  the  salver  and  place  it  on  a  table 
very  near  the  Empress.] 

Faithful  Prince 

Oh!  Daughter  of  Heaven,  whom  we  swear  to 
serve  faithfully!  To  the  end  that  you  may  accom- 
plish the  work  of  your  deified  ancestors,  never  for- 
get the  ten  precepts  which  are  the  rule  of  conduct  of 
all  sovereigns.  As  they  are  engraved  here  on  the 
precious  jade,  it  is  my  privilege  to  read  them  to  you 
this  day  in  the  hearing  of  all. 
\_Reading  from  a  block  of  jade,  which  is  handed  to 
him.'] 

Fear  Heaven. 

Love  the   people. 

Exalt  the  soul. 

Cultivate  the  sciences. 

Honour  merit. 

Listen  to  wise  counsels. 

Lessen  taxes. 

Mitigate  the  laws. 

Spare  the  treasury. 

Avoid  the  allurements  of  the  senses! 

Obeying  these  commands,  one  is  sure  to  follow  in 
the  right  path.  But  one  must  advance  along  this 
road  without  turnings  aside  or  falterings.  Oh !  our 
Sovereign,  be  attentive  and  anxious,  as  though  each 
hour  of  the  day  you  carried  a  chalice  filled  to  the 
brim  with  water  not  one  drop  must  be  spilled.    Act 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  39 

thus,  and  then  your  conduct  will  be  just  and  your 

dynasty  endure  eternally 

All 

Ten  thousand  years ! 

Ten  thousand  years ! 

[The  orchestra  plays,  Faithful  Prince  bends 
the  knee,  prostrates  himself  three  times,  stands,  and 
retires  to  his  place.  The  music  ceases,  complete 
silence  reigns,  the  Empress  rises.^ 


SCENE  II 

The  Empress,  The  Crowd 
Empress 

Enlighten  me,  Oh,  Divine  Reason !  Spirits  of  my 
ancestors,  enter  into  my  spirit,  strengthen  my  weak- 
ness, embolden  my  heart ! Will  these  wom- 
anly hands  have  the  power  to  carry  on  high  this 
sceptre,  which  is  still  too  heavy  for  the  frail  hands 
of  my  little  son?  At  least  they  shall  not  tremble! 
They  shall  hold  it  with  an  unrelaxing  grasp,  which 
death  alone  will  have  the  power  to  unlock.  And 
you  will  aid  me,  all  of  you,  my  faithful  ones,  you 
will  aid  me  with  your  advice,  with  your  wisdom 
and  your  courage. 

The  name  allotted  by  the  Book  of  Centuries 
to  the  last  descendant  of  the  Bright  Dynasty  is: 
Perfect   Harmony   Realised.     But   alas!   it  seems 


40  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

a  faraway  dream,  this  harmony  announced  in 
the  ancient  days  of  our  history,  and  longed  for 
with  many  a  prayer  by  our  bruised  hearts.  In- 
stead of  this  dream  of  the  future,  we  have  the 
terrible  present  with  its  uncertainty,  instability, 
and  war!  And  that  Empire,  of  which  you  have 
proclaimed  me  sovereign,  we  must  reconquer  day 
by  day,  tearing  it  fragment  by  fragment  from  the 
grasp  of  the  ravisher. 

Ah,  how  much  bloodshed  have  we  seen  in  the 
past  three  centuries!  It  is  a  stream  purple  with 
blood,  on  which  floats  the  vessel  freighted  with  our 
noble  hopes!  It  tosses  about,  it  battles  with  the 
tempest,  this  vessel  with  the  reddened  timbers,  but 
it  cannot  suffer  shipwreck,  for  it  stands  for  justice 
and  right.  Some  day  it  shall  drop  anchor  in  a 
peaceful  port,  the  Bright  Dynasty  shall  be  re-estab- 
lished for  ever  —  and  all  our  beloved  dead,  whose 
bodies  are  scattered  throughout  the  length  and 
breadth  of  the  land,  whose  spirits  abide  in  the  clouds 
above,  all  our  unnumbered  dead  shall  then  have 
their  magnificent  revenge  and  receive  the  reward 
of  their  martyrdom. 

Like  everyone  of  you  here  assembled,  I  dedicate 
my  life  to  that  sacred  cause;  but  it  suffices  not  to 
die  without  regret,  we  must  fight  to  the  last,  we 
must  defend  ourselves  with  our  final  breath,  that 
our  death  may  be  fruitful.  To  reconquer  our  coun- 
try, to  break  the  yoke  which  dishonours  it,  let  us 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  41 

make  our  hearts  fearless,  our  souls  implacable.  No 
pity  nor  mercy  for  the  Tartar!  May  our  heroic 
wrath  never  lessen,  nor  our  holy  hate  be  appeased. 

Toward  all  other  living  men  we  know  our  duties : 
good  will,  compassion,  charity.  Whoever  these 
men  may  be,  whether  they  come  from  the  north  or 
the  south,  or  from  the  covetous  west,  to  all  who 
shall  call  themselves  our  friends,  let  us  extend  a 
brotherly  hand  in  accordance  with  that  immemorial 
tradition,  which  only  our  invaders  have  violated. 

I  swear  to  you,  oh,  shades  of  my  ancestors,  and  to 
you,  all  my  well  beloved  subjects,  I  swear  to  keep 
severe  watch  upon  myself,  to  take  good  care  that  I 
am  not  remiss  in  any  of  my  duties,  I  swear  to  be  at- 
tentive and  anxious,  as  though  I  carried  in  my  hands 
a  chalice  filled  to  the  brim  with  water,  of  which 
not  one  drop  must  be  spilled,  I  swear  to  hold  my 
head  high  against  the  threats  of  the  future,  to  sub- 
mit with  resignation  to  cruel  fate,  and  not  even  to 
move  an  eye-lash  if  the  sword  be  lifted  against  me. 

l^She  resumes  her  seat  upon  the  Throne."] 

All 

Ten  thousand  years ! 

Ten  thousand  years ! 

[^The  music  recommences  at  the  back.  'At  a  sign 
from  the  Master  of  Ceremonies,  the  Mandarins 
leave  their  places  and  arrange  themselves  in  several 
lines  at  the  foot  of  the  Throne."] 


42  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Two  Heralds 

Bend  the  knee. 

[Other  Heralds  at  the  doors  repeat  the  order  to 
the  crowd  on  the  terrace  and  in  the  Court  yards. ~\ 

Bend  the  knee. 

[All  the  mandarins  bend  the  knee  at  the  same 
time'] 

The  Heralds 

Prostrate  yourselves. 

Heralds  at  the  Doors 

Prostrate  yourselves. 

[All  the  mandarins  prostrate  themselves  three 
times,  touching  the  ground  with  their  foreheads 
three  times  at  each  prostration.] 

The  Heralds 
Arise. 

Heralds     [At  the  doors] 
Arise. 
[All  the  mandarins  rise  and  resume  their  places.] 

A  Herald 

Let  the  Viceroy  of  the  South,  in  the  name  of  all, 
make  reply  to  Her  Majesty. 

[The  Master  of  Ceremonies  approaches  the  Tar- 
tar Emperor  and  leads  him  towards  the  Throne. 
The  little  Emperor  of  Nanking  exchanges  glances 
of  recognition  with  the  Tartar  Emperor.  He 
shows  him  a  Golden  Dragon,  which  is  hanging  on 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  43 

a  chain  round  his  neck,  while  the  Tartar  Emperor 
shows  him  the  shuttlecock  hidden  under  his  robe. 
The  Empress,  surprised,  questions  her  son  with  a 
look.  The  child  smiles  mysteriously  and  moves 
closer  to  her.  The  Tartar  Emperor  contemplates 
the  Empress  for  a  few  moments,  then  slowly  pros- 
trates himself.    He  rises,  and  the  music  ceases.!^ 

Emperor 

Oh,  Divine  Majesty!  I,  your  slave,  and  at  this 
moment  one  of  the  first  dignitaries  of  your  Court, 
why  am  I  so  insignificant  a  thing?  Why  is  my  will 
barren,  when  it  is  so  eager  to  make  a  path  both 
smooth  and  glorious  for  your  feet?  Oh!  at  my 
powerlessness  to  crush  the  menace  of  fate,  what  a 
tumult  of  desire  and  righteous  rage  disturbs  my  soul ! 
And  yet  the  celestial  radiance  of  Your  presence  il- 
lumines and  inspires  me.  The  dazzling  light  which 
emanates  from  Your  Majesty's  presence  seems  to 
colour  the  clouds  on  the  far  horizon,  to  pierce  the 
shadows,  and  I  see  You  there,  in  the  great  city  of 
the  Tsings.  I  see  you  seated  and  all  powerful,  on 
the  very  Throne  of  the  Tartar  Emperor;  the  im- 
mense empire,  undivided  and  at  peace,  extending 
under  your  feet  like  a  carpet  of  honour. 

No!  destiny  cannot  be  cruel  to  you;  before  Your 
sacred  presence,  its  weapons  will  be  dashed  to  pieces. 
Do  not  the  laws  of  Heaven  and  earth  seem  always 
to  yield  to  certain  superior  beings?    Do  you  re- 


44  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

member  the  beautiful  favourite,  who  formerly  capti- 
vated one  of  your  sovereign  ancestors?  When  the 
day  arrived  on  which,  having  forfeited  the  Imperial 
favour,  she  was  given  into  the  keeping  of  the  execu- 
tioners, she  gazed  upon  them  calmly,  and  as  they 
brandished  their  swords  against  her,  she  smiled 
sweetly  —  her  only  defence.  Then  they  threw  their 
weapons  at  her  feet,  for  no  one  had  the  courage  to 
extinguish  that  radiant  smile 

[A  murmur  of  astonishment  makes  itself  felt 
throughout  the  crowd.'\ 

And  so  you  will  disarm  destiny,  and  your  most 
deadly  enemies  will  bend  the  knee  before  you 

[^So  saying,  he  bends  his  kneel 
The  Empress     [After  a  moment  of  astounded  si- 
lence, without  rising  from  the  Throne'] 

Thank  you,  my  noble  subject !  Your  bold  words 
have  surprised  us,  but  have  also  charmed  us.  More- 
over, the  tragic  circumstances  of  our  investiture 
make  excuse  for  passionate  thoughts  and  excep- 
tional speech.     Your  prophetic  vision  has  touched 

us  very  deeply Thanks  to  you!    Thanks  to 

all! 

{The  Tartar  Emperor  rises  and  resumes  his 
place.  Music  March.  '  The  Empress  descends 
slowly  from  her  throne;  her  retinue  forms  up  to 
follow  her  and  crosses  the  stage.  She  reaches  the 
terrace  where  She  enters  her  palanquin  decked  with 
gold    dragons.     The    whole    assemblage,    without 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  45 

leaving  their  places,  bend  the  knee  and  then  pros- 
trate themselves.^ 

Chorus     \_At  back  of  stage'] 
Let  all  happiness  and  peace 
Rule  here  now  and  never  cease ! 
Heaven,  grant  our  humble  prayer. 
Give  us  blessings  mild  and  fair. 
Gentle  rain  and  balmy  air ! 
Let  our  pious  voices  rise 
To  the  gods  above  the  skies ! 

All     [Interrupting  the  Choruses] 
Ten  thousand  years ! 
Ten  thousand  years ! 

[The  great  drum  and  bell  are  sounded  alter- 
nately.] 


CURTAIN 


j 


ACT  TWO 


[^The  stage  setting  is  all  of  white  marhle,  glistening 
in  the  moonlight.  At  the  centre  back  is  seen  the 
Empress's  Pavilion  rising  upon  several  terraces 
of  white  marhle.  Its  curved  roofs  are  orna- 
mented with  monsters  and  small  hells.  Lead- 
ing to  the  terraces,  in  the  middle  of  the  stage, 
is  an  "  imperial  stair,"  an  inclined  plane  of 
white  marhle,  on  which  an  immense  dragon  is 
carved  in  has-relief;  and  also,  on  either  side  of 
this,  two  identical  marble  staircases  bordered 
by  bronze  and  jade  animals  and  huge  censers 
on  marble  brackets.  Numerous  symmetrical 
kiosks  Hank  the  pavilion  on  this  side  and  that 
with  curved  roofs  similar  to  those  of  the  pavil- 
ion, ornamented  with  small  bells  and  mon- 
sters. 

As  the  Curtain  rises,  no  one  is  on  the  stage.  A 
gentle  breeze  causes  the  small  bells  to  tinkle 
at  the  angles  of  the  roofs.\ 


SCENE  I 

The  Empress  and  Four  Attendants. 

[The  Empress  comes  out  of  the  pavilion  and  ad- 
vances slowly  to  the  edge  of  the  terrace,  her  eyes 
raised  to  the  moon.  Four  Attendants  follow 
her,  but  remain  in  the  background.'] 

Empress 
[Halting  at  the  top  of  the  Imperial  stair"]     Oh, 
Night   of    enchantment!     Pure   light   and    silence 

cool ! Oh,  scintillating  stars,  envelope  me  in 

your  rays !  And  thou,  pale  moon,  shroud  me  in  thy 
blue  light;  calm  my  soul,  cool  my  fever!  [She 
commences  her  descent  down  the  "  Imperial  Stair," 
two  of  her  attendants  following,  one  by  the  stair- 
case  on  the  right,  the  other  by  the  staircase  on  the 
left,  regulating  their  steps  according  to  those  of  the 
Empress  in  the  middle.]  That  dream,  that 
strange  dream  which  has  aroused  me  from  my  sleep, 

I  still  feel  the  terror  of  it [Lowering  her 

voice]  The  terror  and  the  charm.  [To  her  at- 
tendants] Let  the  astrologer  be  called  at  once,  that 
he  may  discover  the  meaning  of  this  dream  and  ex- 
plain it  without  dissembling.  Listen  carefully  to  my 
words.  I  was  about  to  become  the  prey  of  a  ser- 
pent with  shining  scales, —  already  he  was  twining 

49 


50  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

about  me  and  slowly  choking  me  with  his  chilly 
coils.  Fascinated  by  his  steady  gaze,  I  had  not  the 
force  to  struggle;  enervated,  inert,  I  surrendered 
myself,  with  no  repugnance  against  death.  With 
fear  and  suffering  a  languor  that  was  almost  a  de- 
light was  mingled A  supreme  effort  of  the 

will,  however,  extricated  me  from  his  grasp,  and 
suddenly  aroused  from  sleep  and  dreams  I  found 
myself  regretting  those  deadly  coils  which  had  im- 
prisoned me What  can  this  dream  portend? 

\_To  the  women]  Report  what  I  have  told  you  to 
the  astrologer.  Let  him  question  the  Unknown, 
and  give  me  his  response  here  without  delay.  Go 
at  once!  [Two  of  the  Attendants  depart  at  this 
command.  The  Empress  continues  to  descend 
slowly.  She  is  alone  in  the  middle  of  the  Imperial 
stair,  which  is  very  long,  and  whose  white  surface 
seems  sown  with  tiny  glistering  spangles.]  How 
the  dew  sparkles  on  the  marble  footpath !  It  seems 
like  a  carpet  of  stars.  But  as  I  walk  I  put  out  their 
light,  and  my  trailing  gown  changes  the  little  glisten- 
ing drops  into  a  pool  of  water,  which  soaks  the  hem 
of  my  robe.  [She  continues  to  descend.]  Why  is 
there  ever  before  my  eyes  the  image  of  that  man 
whom  I  saw  this  morning  for  the  first  time?  Why, 
on  this  day,  when  so  many  heavy  duties  have  de- 
volved upon  my  weakness,  can  I  recall  only  that 
deep  and  ardent  gaze,  which  met  mine  with  such 
sovereign  audacity?    Why  was  I  no  more  offended 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  51 

by  that  gaze  than  by  the  rays  of  the  kindly  sun 
that  beat  upon  my  palace?  He  found  me  beautiful, 
and  his  admiration  for  me  shone  like  an  ornament 
more  precious  than  the  Imperial  Phcenix  of  my 
head-dress.  How  well  I  understood,  when  he  pros- 
trated himself  before  me,  with  what  feelings  he 
threw  himself  at  my  feet And  my  son  ex- 
changed glances  of  recognition  with  him!  How 
came  he  to  know  him?  Why  did  I  not  even  dare 
to  ask  him,  as  though  to  speak  of  that 
man  to  my  own  child  were  criminal?  Oh, 
kindly  powers  of  the  night,  spirits  of  my  deified  an- 
cestors who  are  about  me  in  the  air,  august  shades 
to  whom  I  have  rendered  homage  in  your  golden 
temples,  come  to  my  aid,  gather  about  your  un- 
worthy and  feeble  daughter!  That  man,  that 
stranger  in  my  path,  on  such  a  day!  Oh, 
divinities  from  whom  I  am  descended,  take  from 
my  soul  the  very  remembrance  of  him.  In  a  solemn 
vow  I  have  renounced  my  earthly  personality. 
Nothing  of  myself  belongs  to  me.  Daughter  of 
Heaven,  Empress  and  Regent,  I  am  claimed  entirely 

by  my  more  than  human  mission Help  me  to 

triumph  over  the  weaknesses  which  were  the  charm 
of  life.  Aid  me  to  forget  that  there  are  flowers  and 
pearls  and  perfumes,  grant  that  I  may  lose  con- 
sciousness of  the  fact  that  love  is  the  only  realm  of 
woman,  and  beauty  her  true  power.  May  my  breast 
from  henceforth  be  only  the  marble  prison  of  my 


52  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

frozen  heart!  Should  it  revolt  and  wish  to  beat 
again,  may  my  will  become  its  stern  gaoler!  Aid 
me,  oh,  come  down,  pure  spirits  of  the  air!  Make 
me  as  unyielding  as  the  goddesses  of  jade,  who  keep 
their  eyes  lowered  that  they  may  not  see  the  things 
of  this  world! 

\^The  two  attendants  return  and  prostrate  them- 
selves.'] 

First  Attendant 

The  astrologer  is  ready  to  give  your  Majesty  his 
answer. 

Empress 

Let  him  come! 

[The  attendants  leave."] 

That  serpent  which  entwined  me,  Ah !  that  cannot 
be  he.  His  commanding  gaze,  riveted  to  mine, 
was  noble  and  open.  Why  should  he  appear  to  me 
in  that  hostile  and  terrible  form?  No,  no!  in  a 
soul  that  has  eyes  like  that  treachery  cannot  flour- 
ish      It  cannot  be  he and  yet  I  was  carried 

away  by  that  icy  embrace.  Who  else  then,  in  the 
world  could  it  be  ? 


SCENE  n 
The  same,  The  Astrologer 
IHe  is  one  hundred  years  old.    He  has  a  zvhite 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  53 

beard,  stiff  and  rough.  He  is  blind,  and  is  led  by  a 
yoimg  boy.  He  tries  to  prostrate  himself,  but  the 
Empress  stops  him.] 

Empress 
Remain  standing,  noble  old  man.     Your  age  and 
your  sightless  eyes  excuse  you  from  formalities. 

Astrologer 
My  sightless  eyes  see  into  the  invisible.     My 
spirit,  meditating  through  so  many  days  of  dark- 
ness, is  clairvoyant  and  prophetic. 

Empress 
How  do  you  explain  the  mystery  of  that  dream 
which  obsesses  me  ? 

Astrologer 
In  the  guise  of  a  serpent,  the  dragon  has  come 
to  the  phoenix  to  carry  her  off  and  to  heap  on  her 
his  treasures.  But  the  phoenix  has  not  understood. 
He  flapped  his  wings  and  made  his  escape.  Let 
her  take  shelter  at  present  from  the  terrible  storm 
which,  all  unwillingly,  the  dragon  brings  in  his 
train. 

Empress 
These  words  are  more  unfathomable  than  the 
dream. 

Astrologer 

Yet  thus  the  magic  numbers  have  replied. 


54  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Empress 
Can  you  not  illumine  the  darkness? 

Astrologer 

The  veil  which  covers  the  future  may  not  be  torn 
away.  To  raise  one  corner  at  the  utmost  is  all  that 
is  allowed  to  us. 

Empress 

And  by  that  means  should  one  not  at  least  see  a 
faint  glimmer? 

Astrologer 
Take  shelter  from  the  terrible  storm!     Let  the 
precious  torch  which  shall  illumine  the  future  be 
placed  far  beyond  the  reach  of  the  wind.     That  is 
the  decree.     There  is  nothing  more. 

Empress 
It  is  well.     I  will  meditate  upon  these  enigmas. 
Go  in  peace,  noble  old  man. 

Astrologer 

May  propitious  Heaven  shower  all  its  blessings 
on  the  Bright  Dynasty ! 

[He  retires.  Day  breaks,  and  Hower-heds  in  the 
foreground,  near  the  incline,  come  to  view.  They 
are  flowers  of  Imperial  yellow."] 

Empress 
[To  her  attendants'] 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  55 

For  mercy's  sake,  for  once  in  my  life,  leave  me 
alone.     I  need  no  further  attention.     Go! 

{^The  attendants  leave  and  re-enter  the  Pavilion.'] 


SCENE  HI 

The  Empress     [a/ow^] 

The  Empress  [af  the  foot  of  the  imperial  stair, 
leaning  on  the  marble  banisters.]     The  storm,  said 

the  old  man The  storm,  it  will  come  from  the 

north  as  always! Black  clouds  on  the  hor- 
izon, the  armies  which  are  marching  against  my 
phantom  empire.     Black  clouds,  the  armies  of  the 

Tartar  Emperor But  this  torch  which  shall 

illumine  the  future,  what  it  is?     Ah!     My  son,  it 

must  be Ah,  yes,  that  it  is ;  my  son ! To 

shelter  him,  he  said,  to  hide  him,  to  send  him  far 
away,  perhaps,  from  this  palace  that  is  threatened 
on  all  sides;  to  separate  myself  from  him  in  this 
grave  danger  —  that  is  what  is  now  demanded  of 

me! Still  more  agony  and  sacrifice!     And  it 

is  I  who  am  expected  to  guide  a  whole  people,  when 

I   lack   the   force   to   guide  myself Oh  you 

women  who  can  lean  on  a  strong  supporting  arm, 
who  can  depend  for  help  upon  the  advice  of  a  manly 
and  farseeing  mind!  Oh  you  wives  who  find  in 
the  heart  of  your  husbands  a  refuge  in  your  weak- 


56  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

ness!  But  I  am  the  Empress,  and  the  widowed 
Empress,  all  alone  and  so  high  that  I  have  no  equal 
to  whom  I  may  confide  my  anxieties  and  my  weak- 
nesses       {^She  advances  to  the  middle  of  the 

flower-plot']  Come,  listen  to  the  confession  which 
is  overpowering  me,  oh  you  flowers  of  early  morn- 
ing, moist  with  fresh  dew!  Oh  airy  spirits  which 
hover  over  flower-beds  at  the  dawn  of  springtime, 
hear  me,  since  I  must  speak  and  someone  must 
listen.  That  man  you  know,  who  came  yesterday, 
whose  gaze  tyrannical  and  yet  caressing  is  like  none 
other's,  he  has  troubled  the  sad  Empress's  heart, 
and  now  in  the  hour  of  great  peril  she  is  no  longer 

mistress  of  herself He  is  only  one  of  her 

subjects,  and  yet  she  would  love  to  obey  him^ • 


SCENE  IV 

The  same,  The  Grand  Mistress  of  The  Cere- 
monies, Two  Attendants. 

The  Grand  Mistress 

[Prostrating  herself]  I  have  to  inform  your 
Majesty  that  it  is  almost  the  hour  of  morn,  fixed 
for  the  farewell  audiences. 

Empress 
It  is  well.     I  come. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  57 

The  Grand  Mistress 
All  is  in  readiness  for  the  toilette  of  the  Empress. 
What  are  her  orders  ? 

Empress 
T  shall  give  audience  here,  and  let  the  wearisome 
ceremony  be  made  as  simple  as  may  be. 

The  Grand  Mistress     \_Still  prostrating  herself'\ 

My  duties  as  Grand  Mistress  make  it  necessary 
for  me  to  call  your  Majesty's  attention  to  the  fact 
that  this  is  contrary  to  the  rites.  Audiences  must 
take  place  in  the  Throne  Room,  and  be  conducted 
in  accordance  with  all  the  rules  of  immemorial 
etiquette. 

Empress 

We  are  above  all  rites  and  rules.  I  have  spoken 
my  will. 

The  Grand  Mistress 

The  orders  of  your  Majesty  shall  be  transmitted 
to  the  officials  of  the  palace,  who  will  inform  the 
princes  and  the  dignitaries. 

Empress 
It  is  well. 
[The  Grand  Mistress  rises  and  goes  out.'\ 

SCENE  V 

The  Empress 
[Leaojing  the  Hower-garden,  she  halts  before  as- 


58  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

cending  the  marble  stair  and  turns  again  to  the 
flowers,']  Guard  well,  oh,  iiowers  of  the  morning, 
the  secret  which  I  have  confided  to  you.  Now  it 
has  escaped  from  my  soul !  That  it  may  never  re- 
turn, lock  it  up,  oh,  flowers,  in  your  blossoms. 
l^She  mounts  several  steps']  And  you,  ancestral 
shades,  to  whom  I  make  this  last  prayer,  Oh!  lend 
your  aid  to  your  daughter,  powerless  to  triumph 
over  herself.  Make  my  heart  invulnerable,  since 
you  have  called  me  to  this  sovereign  mission.  Give 
me  the  force  to  thrust  aside  all  but  my  noble  duty. 
Oh,  help  me  to  remember  only  "  the  brimming  cup 
of  which  not  a  drop  must  be  spilled !  " 
[^She  mounts  the  stairJ\ 


SCENE  VI 

Arrow-Bearer,  Attendants 

[They  enter  hastily  along  the  path  at  the  foot  of 
the  steps.  Arrow-Bearer,  raising  his  head,  recog- 
nises the  Empress,  on  her  way  along  the  Imperial 
stair.  He  makes  a  sign  of  warning  to  those  who 
follow  him,  and  all  terrified  throw  themselves  pros- 
trate, their  faces  to  the  ground.  As  soon  as  she  has 
disappeared,  Arrow-Bearer  makes  a  sign  to  the 
Attendants  to  rise.] 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  59 

Arrow-Bearer  [To  the  Attendants] 
Put  the  throne  here  and  set  this  bench  very  near, 
in  case  the  Empress  should  accord  to  some  privi- 
leged one  the  honour  of  being  seated  in  her  presence. 
Place  these  perfumes  in  the  censers  that  the  ladies- 
in-waiting  will  only  have  to  light  them. 

[Enter  the  guards,  whom  he  draws  up  at  the  foot 
of  the  stairs. '\ 


SCENE  vn 

The  same  Faithful  Prince,  Minister  and 
Commander  in  Chief.  Winged  Prince,  Gen- 
eral and  Grand  Secretary;  Poplar,  a  minister; 
Veiled-Light,  Councillor;  Chamberlains, 
Councillors,  Mandarins,  etc.  They  enter  in 
turn.  Lastly  the  Tartar  Emperor  and  Fount-in- 
the-forest. 

Poplar     [To  Faithful  Prince] 
If  your  Excellency  would  say  a  word  for  me  to 
the  Empress,  my  desires  would  be  fulfilled  and  I 
should  obtain  the  red  button,  which  I  have  earned  by 
my  services. 

Faithful 
I  know  your  merits  and  I  realise  what  you  de- 
serve.    But  believe  me,  true  greatness  is  above  titles. 


6o  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

We  are  devoting  our  lives  to  a  noble  cause,  for  the 
joy  of  seeing  it  triumph,  and  not  in  the  hope  of  a 
reward.  If  we  die  in  the  service,  our  name  will 
shine  with  a  brightness,  more  enduring  I  assure  you, 

than  that  of  a  ruby  in  the  crown  of  your  hat 

However,  rest  assured  I  shall  do  my  utmost  to  ob- 
tain it  for  you,  since  you  aspire  to  it. 

Poplar 
I  shall  be  grateful  to  you  to  my  dying  day. 
{^He  bows  and  goes  out.l 

Winged  Prince     [To  Faithful  Prince] 
May  I  enquire  after  your  precious  health? 

Faithful  Prince     \_Bowing'] 

How  kind  of  you  to  trouble  about  so  trifling  a 
matter!  My  health  is  good,  thank  you.  I  dare  to 
hope  that  yours,  infinitely  more  precious,  is  also 
excellent  to  the  joy  of  us  all. 

Winged  Prince     [Bowing  again'] 

You  see  me  overwhelmed  by  a  solicitude  of  which 
I  am  unworthy.  Thank  you,  I  am  very  well. 
Without  excessive  pain  I  am  reaching  the  allotted 
span  —  a  poor  thing,  it  is  true  —  of  my  days. 

Faithful  Prince 

Did  you  succeed  in  seeing  the  representative  of 
our  enemies,  the  Viceroy  of  Nanking? 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  6i 

Winged  Prince 
I  saw  him  and  I  dictated  a  report,  which  he 
agreed  to  send  to  Peking,  but  I  have  had  to  pay 
dearly  for  his  discretion. 

Faithful  Prince 

If  only  we  gain  thereby  a  few  days'  respite,  we 
shall  not  need  to  regret  the  bait  thrown  into  the 
mouth  of  the  Tiger.  The  treasures  of  the  Mings, 
happily,  are  far  from  exhausted  and  the  secret 
vaults,  all  unknown  to  the  Tartars,  still  contain 
more  than  is  necessary  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
war. 

[They  go  out  in  conversation] 

Veiled-Light     [Talking  with  a  Councillor] 
There  is  a  method  of  obtaining  calabashes  of  a 
magnificent  red.     You  graft  the  young  plant  with 
cockscombs 

Councillor 
With  cockscombs? Can  it  be  done? 

Veiled-Light 
Yes,  you  bury  them  alongside  the  roots  and  pass 
the  stems  through  the  flesh. 

A  Secretary 
I  know  another  process  for  obtaining  gourds  of 
celestial  blue. 


62  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Councillor     [To  Veiled  Light] 
Where  did  you  get  your  information? 

Veiled  Light 

I  read  it  in  the  Tu  Tien  Shan,  a  work  in  20 
volumes,  containing  the  most  curious  secrets  of  hor- 
ticulture. 

[They  pass  on.l 

An  Officer 
How  kind  of  our  Empress  to  give  us  audience  in 
the  open  air,  among  the  flowers ! 

A  Stout  Mandarin 
And  to  dispense  with  prostration.     At  my  age 
and  with  my  figure,  the  performance  is  very  diffi- 
cult, and,  as  you  know,  one  is  so  easily  made  to  ap- 
pear ridiculous! 

Winged  Prince  [To  Faithful  Prince^  watch- 
ing the  approach  of  the  Tartar  Emperor  and 
Fount-in-the-Forest] 

I  once  met  the  Governor  of  the  South,  but  I  must 
be  confusing  him  with  someone  else,  for  I  recollect 
a  person  very  different  from  this  one.  Yet,  if  I  had 
ever  seen  those  eyes,  it  seems  to  me  that  their  ex- 
pression would  have  remained  in  my  memory. 

Faithful  Prince 
Indeed  he  has  most  uncommon  expression  and  an 
extraordinary  dignity. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  63 

Emperor     [To  Fount] 
What  makes  you  so  uneasy? 

Fount     [In  a  whisper"} 
I  am  certain  that  I  recognised  here  in  the  palace 
two  officers  from  Peking,  disguised,  like  ourselves. 

Emperor 
Yes  ?    No  doubt  they  were  spies  sent  out  in  pur- 
suit of  me. 

Fount 

I  do  not  think  so.     More  likely  the  leaders  of  a 

conspiracy,  against  Nanking,  perhaps  to  take  it  by 

surprise.     We  must  leave  here  as  soon  as  possible. 

All  is  in  readiness,  the  horses  are  saddled,  the  vessel 

under  steam You  wished  to  see  this  palace 

with  your  own  eyes.     You  have  succeeded,  now  let 
us  depart. 

Emperor 

Depart  before  having  seen  her  for  a  last  time? 
Oh,  no.  Nothing  could  make  me  give  up  that  hap- 
piness, which  has  come  to  be  for  me  the  most  desir- 
able thing  in  the  world. 

Fount 
Every  minute  here  we  are  risking  our  heads 


At  least  as  soon  as  you  have  had  your  audience,  I 
beg  you  not  to  delay  another  instant. 


64  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Emperor 
You  have  my  promise. 

Fount 
The  Faithful  Prince  has  looked  toward  you 
several  times  and  you  cannot  do  otherwise  now  than 
greet  him.  He  is  Prime  Minister  and  Commander- 
in-Chief,  the  most  important  person  here;  a  great 
heart  and  a  fine  character.  His  rank  places  him 
above  a  viceroy. 

Emperor 
What  shall  I  say  to  him? 

Fount 
A  few  polite  commonplaces. 

Emperor 

Can  I  do  so?  \_He  approaches  the  Faithful 
Prince  and  salutes  him.']  Illustrious  Prince,  may 
a  long  and  happy  life  be  yours!  It  is  a  blessing  of 
Heaven  to  be  permitted  to  gaze  upon  your  noble 
countenance  and  to  meet  the  light  of  your  eyes. 
Faithful   Prince     [Returning  the   bowl 

In  truth  I  might  say  the  same  to  you But 

I  beg  of  you  let  us  dispense  with  compliments.     Are 
you  satisfied  with  your  government  of  the  South? 

Emperor 
That  region  is  the  most  faithfully  rebellious  of 
the  whole  Empire,  and  is  so  far  away  that  the  orders 
for  its  repression  are  lost  before  they  reach  it.     The 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  65 

inhabitants  refuse  to  pay  the  tax  levied  by  the  Tar- 
tars and  of  their  own  accord  deposit  the  money  in 
our  coffers. 

Faithful  Prince 
You  do  not  fail  to  accept  only  half  of  it,  and  to 
refuse  it  altogether  during  bad  years  ? 

Emperor 
I  have  done  so,  which  accounts  for  our  popularity. 

Faithful  Prince 

Perhaps  you  would  like  to  be  near  the  throne,  in 
order  to  obtain  a  higher  rank,  more  in  accordance 
with  your  merits.  Make  use  of  my  influence  to 
support  your  request 

Emperor 
I  am  the  slave  of  her  Majesty,  ready  to  serve  her 
in  any  position  in  which  she  may  wish  to  employ  me, 
but  I  ask  for  nothing,  and  the  good  opinion  which 
Your  Excellence  has  of  my  merits  is  to  me  the  most 
acceptable  recompense. 

Faithful  Prince 
I  congratulate  you  on  being  without  ambition  and 
not  fixing  a  prize  on  your  devotion Our  Sov- 
ereign will  appear  soon. 

Emperor     [To  Fount] 
Did  I  acquit  myself  creditably? 


(£  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Fount 

In  very  dangerous  words.  Ah,  how  I  wish  I 
saw  you  safely  away  from  here ! 

Emperor 

Oh,  that  I  might  remain  always! She  is 

coming ! 

SCENE  vni 

The  same,  The  Empress,  in  Costume  of  State 

l^As  soon  as  she  appears  at  the  top  of  the  terrace 
the  perfumes  begin  to  hum  in  the  censers.  The 
guards  unfurl  the  banners  which  they  are  holding  in 
their  hands.  Chamberlains  and  grand  equerries 
form  a  line  on  either  side  of  the  staircase,  bending 
the  knee.  Before  her  is  carried  the  yellow  umbrella 
with  three  Hounces,  mounted  on  a  handle  bent  in  the 
form  of  a  swan's  neck.  Behind  two  Attendants 
carry  tall  feather  screens,  emblems  of  sovereignty. '\ 

All  the  Attendants  [in  a  low  voice,  with  eyes 
lowered'\ 

Ten  thousand  years!  Ten  thousand  years!  ten 
times  ten  thousand  years ! 

Empress 

Happiness  be  with  you,  my  faithful  ones!  May 
you   live   many   long   days! [She   descends. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  6y 

The  Faithful  Prince  and  the  Winged  Prince 
receive  her  at  the  foot  of  the  steps.l 

Winged  Prince 
The  flowers  grow  pale  with  envy  at  the  approach 
of  our  Sovereign. 

Faithful  Prince 

Her  presence  doubles  the  brilliancy  of  the  day. 

Fount     [In  a  whisper  to  the  Emperor] 
In  truth,  she  is  as  beautiful  as  the  pink  peony. 

Emperor 
Say  rather  that  the  flower  is  all  but  as  lovely  as 
she. 

Empress  [Stopping  on  the  last  steps,  between 
Princes]  There  are  some  hours  when  nature  ap- 
pears more  splendid,  the  light  of  Heaven  more  rad- 
iant, when  all  things  of  the  world  seem  transfigured 
and  new,  and  the  soul  then  ex-pands  in  the  joy  of 

living Oh,    my    faithful    ones    despite    our 

threatening  to-morrows,  the  present  is  for  your  Sov- 
ereign one  of  those  rare  hours,  [/w  an  aside^  It 
seems  as  though  I  had  suddenly  become  two  per- 
sonalities, a  new  rapture  and  unknown  hopes  fill  my 
bewildered  heart. 

Emperor     [To  Fount] 
Her  words  express  what  I  feel  in  myself.     Before 


68  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

this  glorious  hour  I  knew  not  what  it  meant  to 
live 

The  Empress  advances  slowly,  stopping  to  speak 
a  few  words  to  persons  bowing  before  her.  To 
Veiled-Light  she  says'] 

You  desired  the  government  of  the  fortress  of 
Tang-Men.  The  Emperor  accords  you  that  title 
and  the  appanages  which  go  with  it. 

Veiled-Light 
[Bending  the  knee]     I  shall  redouble  my  zeal  to 
be  worthy  of  such  an  honour. 

Empress 

Do  so.  [She  passes  on,  while  Grand  Equerry 
places  a  scroll  of  yellow  satin  in  the  hand  of  Veiled- 
Light,  who  receives  it  on  his  knees.  To  an  of- 
ficer.] 

The  Emperor  appoints  you  to  that  higher  rank 
which  you  have  so  deservedly  earned. 

The  Officer 
My  life  belongs  to  your  Majesties,  and  my  sole 
desire  is  to  be  able  to  sacrifice  it  in  a  good  cause. 

Empress 
Keep  it  for  our  service. 
[A  yellow  scroll  is  given  to  the  officer] 
I  offer  to  each  of  you  a  slight  gift  in  assurance 
of  my  protection  and  as  a  memento  of  my  acces- 
sion — — 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  69 

All 
Ten  thousand  years,  ten  thousand  times  ten  thou- 
sand years. 

[^Pages  distribute  the  gifts. '\ 

Faithful  Prince     [Presenting  Poplar] 
Your  devoted  servant  is  ambitious  to  see  the  coral 
button  of  his  hat  changed  to  a  ruby.     I  venture  to 
support  his  request  to  your  Majesty. 

Empress 

Recommended  by  you,  his  merit  is  certain.  I  ac- 
cord the  rank  with  pleasure. 

Poplar 

My  heart  overflows  with  gratitude. 

The  Empress     [To  the  Tartar  Emperor] 

And  you,  Prince,  do  you  desire  nothing?     Are 

you  too  proud  to  name  the  favour  which  would 

please  you? 

Poplar 

Nay,  I  ask  one  of  Heaven,  one  only,  that  it  will 
stay  the  flight  of  time  and  prolong  this  rapturous 
hour. 

Empress  [At  once  surprised  and  somewhat 
offended,  she  looks  at  him  a  long  time,  hut  her  gaze 
becomes  tender  and  she  finally  smiles.']  Does  that 
depend  on  Heaven  alone  ?  [She  takes  her  place  on 
the  throne.] 


70  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Herald     \_Announcing'\ 
The  Empress  commands  tea  to  be  served. 

All 

Ten  thousand  years ! 

[The  cup-bearers  serve  tea,  fruit  and  cakes. 
Each  one  bends  the  knee  as  he  takes  his  cup.'\ 

The  Empress  [Making  a  sign  to  the  Tartar 
Emperor^  to  be  seated  on  the  tabouret,  near  the 
throne'] 

Come  here  Prince.  There  is  also  a  present  for 
you. 

A  Grand  Secretary  [In  a  whisper  to  a  Coun- 
cillor] With  one  word  she  has  made  him  Prince, 
and  now  she  permits  him  to  be  seated  in  her  pres- 
ence! 

Councillor 
He  does  not  seem  at  all  surprised  at  the  honour. 

Grand  Secretary 
He  is  the   favourite  of  to-morrow.     We  shall 
have  to  reckon  with  him. 

Empress 
You  gave  my  son  a  jewel  marvellously  cut,  a 
dragon,  emblem  of  the  Imperial  Power.  He  is  de- 
lighted with  it,  and  wishes  me  to  offer  you  in  his 
name,  the  emblem  of  the  Empresses,  a  phoenix,  with 
wings  of  sapphires  and  rubies. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  71 

[Golden  Lotus  approaches  and  presents  a  jewel- 
case  on  a  salverl 

Emperor 
I  wish  to  receive  it  on  bended  knee,  and  to  assure 
you  that  it  will  be  with  me  always.     \_He  bends  the 
knee."] 

Empress     [To  Golden  Lotus] 
Golden  Lotus,  did  you,  as  I  command,  attach  a 
ring  on  which  to  hang  it? 

Golden  Lotus 
Yes,  Your  Majesty. 

Emperor 
Until  to-day  I  had  seen  but  the  nests  of  ordinary 
birds,  and  I  did  not  believe  in  that  incomparable  bird 
the  Phoenix.  It  is  only  to-day  that  its  existence 
was  disclosed  to  me  by  the  evidence  of  my  enchanted 
eyes.     [He  hangs  the  jewel  on  his  belt.  J 

Empress 
Alas,   the  phoenix  and  the  dragon  are  dragged 
down  by  chains  to-day,  and  cannot  reach  the  heights 
to  which  they  aspire  in  the  clouds. 

Emperor 
Ah,  how  ardently  I  wish  I  were  the  Tartar  Em- 
peror reigning  at  Peking ! 


^2  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Empress 
What  a  strange  and  dismal  idea !     You  wish  you 
were  my  mortal  enemy?     Why? 

Emperor 
That  I  might  attempt  to  set  all  China  at  your  feet, 
to  bring  to  you  your  own,  and  then  to  be  your  most 
faithful  subject. 

Empress     \Smiling'\ 

What  a  dream ! But  from  that  Emperor  I 

could  accept  nothing nothing,  but  death.     Do 

not  desire  to  be  anyone  else  than  you  are  for  no  one 
has  ever  inspired  in  me  so  sudden  and  deep  a  sym- 
pathy.    Do  not  leave  the  palace  yet Await 

my  commands.  Since  you  have  no  ambition  I  must 
have  it  in  your  place,  and  keep  you  perhaps  more 
near  to  me Farewell  until  we  meet ! 

Emperor     [Rising  and  bowing'] 
Whether  near  or  far,  my  thoughts  will  ever  be 

prostrated  at  the  feet  of  your  Majesty. 

[He  goes,  on  his  way  saying  in  a  whisper  to 

Fount]     Friend,  in  my  disguise,  I  triumph!     For 

the  first  time  for  three  hundred  years  a  Chinese 

woman  has  given  her  love  to  a  Tartar ! 

Fount 
Carry  away  with  you  your  glorious  joy;  but  I 
beg  you,  let  us  depart  at  once. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  73 

iTea  is  offered  to  the  Emperor.  Gradually  he 
slips  away,  led  by  his  Ministers] 

The  Councillor     [To  a  Secretary] 
He  did  not  even  bend  the  knee  to  receive  the  Im- 
perial tea. 

Secretary 
He  understands  that  to  him  already  all  is  permit- 
ted. 

Empress,     [/w  an  aside,  dreamily"] 

I  am  no  longer  mistress  of  my  will The 

words  fly  from  my  lips,  like  captive  birds  escaped 
and  making  for  the  sky I  have  betrayed  my- 
self   with  happiness. 

[Uproar  and  cries,  all  the  attendants  in  alarm. 
Officials  of  the  Palace  enter  hurriedly,  their  hands 
on  their  sabres.  Faithful  Prince  and  Winged 
Prince  approach  to  defend  the  Empress,  who  has 
risen  from  her  throne.^ 


SCENE  IX 

The  same  except  the  Emperor  and  Fount.     Pal- 
ace Officials,  Arrow-Bearer. 


Empress 
What  has  happened  ? 


74  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Officer 
A  conspiracy. 

Another 
It  has  failed ! 

Arrow-Bearer     [Kneelingi 
Our  young  Emperor  is  safe. 

Empress  [Crying  aloudl 

My    son ! It   was    against   my   son ! 

Where  is  my  son? 


SCENE  X 

The   same.     The   Child   with   his   Nurses   and 
Guards. 

The  Child     \_Running  to  his  mother  and  kneel- 
ing before  herj 
Here  I  am,  mother. 

Empress 
Ah!     [She  arises  and  embraces  him.l     Now  I 
can  control  myself  to  listen Speak ! 

Arrow-Bearer 
Divine  Sovereign,  two  Tartar  spies  entered  the 
palace  with  the  monstrous  design  of  kidnapping  our 
young  Emperor.     Like  tigers  they  lay  in  wait,  hid- 
den in  the  bushes.     They  came  out  all  unawares  and 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  75 

dared  to  lay  a  hand  on  the  sacred  person  of  your 
son. 

The  Child 
Mother  they  threw  a  cloth  over  my  head  and 
tightened  it  round  my  throat. 

Empress 
Oh! 

The  Child 
I  could  not  cry  out,  but  I  struggled  hard.     Oh! 
I  am  very  strong,  I  am 

Arrow-Bearer 
We  were  on  guard.     The  nurses  with  cries  of 
horror  called  for  our  aid.     We  ran  to  them  and 
seized  the  criminals. 

Empress 
Ah,  you  have  them?     Let  them  be  brought  here 
at  once. 

[Arrow-Bearer  rises  and  goes  out.     The  Em- 
press seats  herself  again.'] 

Winged  Prince 
Their  trial  will  not  take  long. 

Faithful  Prince 
Heaven  was  watching  over  its  young  son  and 
saved  him. 


'jCi  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

All 
Ten  thousand  years,  ten  thousand  times  ten  thou- 
sand years. 


SCENE  XL 

The  same.  Two  Spies^  their  hands  tied,  each 
one  held  by  two  guards.  They  are  thrown  on  to 
their  knees  at  the  foot  of  the  throne.^ 

Winged  Prince 
Who  are  you? 

First  Spy 
Faithful  servants  of  the  dynasty  of  the  Tsing. 

Winged  Prince 
Where  do  you  come  from  ? 

Second  Spy 
From  the  only  capital  of  our  great  and  pure  Em- 
pire. 

Winged  Prince 
Your  crime  is   flagrant  and  needs  no   further 
proof,  what  have  you  to  say? 

First  Spy 
Nothing. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  ^y 

Second  Spy 

Yes !  We  wished  to  kidnap  the  child,  to  hold  him 
as  a  hostage  and  thus  to  have  you  at  our  mercy. 
We  have  nothing  further  to  say.  Our  lips  are 
sealed. 

Winged  Prince 
Name  your  accomplices. 

Second  Spy 
We  shall  say  nothing. 

Winged  Prince 
Ha!  ha!     We  have  made  others  speak.     \To  the 
Empress]     The  torture  at  once,  is  it  not? 

Empress 
Torture,  no!     Death,  instant  death. 

Faithful  Prince  \To  the  Empress] 
I  venture  to  suggest  to  your  Majesty  that  it  might 
be  better  perhaps  to  imprison  these  men  in  a 
dungeon.  We  do  not  knov^  who  they  are,  nor  of 
how  great  importance  in  the  eyes  of  the  enemy. 
What  secrets  might  we  not  indeed  extract  from 
these  two ! 

Empress 
What!     After  what  they  have  done,  you  would 
have  them  see  the  light  of  another  day  ? Re- 


78  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

member  that  they  have  dared  to  lay  a  hand  on  the 
sacred  person  of  him  in  whom  lives  all  our  hope; 
they  have  bruised  his  neck,  frail  as  a  stem  of  a 
flower.  To  kidnap  him  as  hostage,  they  said! 
How  do  I  know  that  they  did  not  rather  mean  to 
kill  my  child. 

All 
Death !     Death ! 

Empress 

Yes,  death!  And  have  them  thrown  to  the 
beasts  that  eat  dead  bodies.  Their  graves  will  be 
the  maws  of  crows  and  dogs.     At  once ! 

[The  Faithful  Prince  gives  a  signal,  and  the 
condemned  prisoners  are  lifted  to  their  feet.^ 

First  Spy 

We  have  risked  our  lives.  We  have  lost  and  we 
accept  death. 

Second  Spy 
We  shall  be  soon  avenged  by  the  great  army  which 
is  marching  against  you.     To-morrow  it  will  be  be- 
fore your  walls. 

All 
Death !     Death ! 
\_The  condemned  men  are  led  away."] 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  79 

SCENE  xn 

The  same,  except  the  Spies^  'A.  B.,  and  The  Guards. 
Empress     [To  the  Child] 

Oh,  my  best  beloved!  Oh,  you,  who  bear  the 
sweet  name  of  Son  of  Springtime,  how  near  was  I 
to  losing  you! 

The  Child 
Tell  me,  mother  are  those  men  to  be  put  to 
death? 

Empress 
That  is  the  lightest  punishment  which  their  crime 
deserves. 

The  Child 
No,  it  is  too  much,  as  they  did  not  kill  me. 

Empress 
But  they  desired  your  death.     The  sentence  is  too 
lenient.     And  see,  I  spared  them  the  torture-cham- 
ber       Now,  I  shall  never  again  dare  to  be  away 

from  you.     No,  not  even  for  a  minute,  my  priceless 
jewel,  shall  you  again  be  out  of  my  sight. 

Faithful  Prince 

My  Sovereign,  how  it  pains  me  to  be  forced  to 

tear  your  heart  by  telling  you  what  we  believe  to  be 

your  painful  duty,  we  to  whose  advice  your  Majesty 

deigns  to  listen.     For  many  days,  we  have  been 


8o  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

resolved  to  speak,  and  yet  we  shrank  from  the  un- 
grateful task.  But  to-day  the  danger  is  too  press- 
ing. 

Empress 
Oh,  what  are  you  going  to  say?     [She  descends 
from  her  throne.'\ 

Faithful  Prince 
Alas,  that  my  words  shall  be  like  the  cold  north 
wind  which  kills  the  flowers. 

Empress 
I  already  feel  the  chill  in  my  very  soul. 

Faithful  Prince 
You  must  for  a  time  be  separated  from  your  son. 

Empress 
[With  drooping  head']     I  knew  too  well! 

Faithful  Prince 
The  hope  of  all,  THE  VICTORY  to  come,  our 
Young  Emperor !  —  He  should  be  protected  from 
the  dangers  of  war,  in  safety,  far  from  here,  in  some 
inaccessible  province. 

Empress 
"Let  the  precious  torch  which  shall  illumine  the  fu- 
ture be  placed  beyond  the  reach  of  the  wind."     Thus 
spoke  the  astrologer.     Yes,  the  blind  man  did  see 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  8i 

into  the  invisible.  Thus  is  the  mystery  of  his  words 
explained ! 

Faithful  Prince 
We  must  obey  the  oracle.     Misfortune  foreseen 
can  often  be  avoided.     Winged  Prince,  and  you 
Veiled-Light,  sage  councillors,   does  your  opinion 
coincide  with  mine. 

Winged  Prince 
It  is  the  same  in  every  point. 

Faithful  Prince 

And  all  you,  noble  chiefs,  wise  men  of  letters, 
dignitaries,  are  you  too  of  the  opinion  that  we  must 
send  the  young  Emperor  away.  [All  nod  their 
heads  affirmatively  without  speaking. 2  And  not  to- 
morrow, not  even  this  evening  alas  —  for  each  mo- 
ment the  danger  increases We  must  act  at 

once,  if  your  Majesty  consents  to  the  sacrifice. 

Empress 
Oh !    You  place  me  in  a  circle  of  fire,  which  you 
narrow   again   and   again,    far   too   quickly.     But 
where  are  the  Tartar  armies,  now?      Not  yet  be- 
neath  our   walls,   surely.     We   are  not  besieged! 

The  roads  are  still  open \_She  presses  her  son 

to  her  breast.']  Leave  him  with  me  just  another 
day,  at  least  give  me  time  to  find  the  necessary 
strength  to  bear  this  new  affliction I  am  the 


82  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Empress,  yes,  but  I  am  also  a  mother One 

does  not  take  a  child  from  its  mother  as  one  plucks 
a  flower  from  its  stem Wait ! 

Faithful  Prince 
Wait,  my  Sovereign!  But  will  not  your  despair 
be  infinitely  more  intense  should  harm  come  to  his 
Majesty  because  of  a  weak  tenderness?  Think  of 
the  turmoil  of  a  siege,  the  horror  and  the  risk  of 
battle !  Let  us  thank  Heaven  for  giving  us  time  to 
place  our  young  Master  in  safety.  As  soon  as  the 
danger  is  over,  he  will  return  to  you. 

Empress 
Oh,  do  not  speak  of  return  to  lessen  my  distress, 

as  you  would  comfort  a  child ! Let  us  not 

talk  of  the  future,  which  is  black  and  cloudy 

But  Wisdom  has  spoken,  and  my  rebellion  is  over. 
I  shall  have  the  strength  to  submit.  [To  the  child, 
whom  she  holds  still  pressed  close  against  hcrJ] 
My  son,  you  must  go  away  from  me  for  a  little 

while Ah,  tears  fill  my  eyes  at  the  idea.     But 

when  I  think  of  keeping  you  in  this  palace,  in  the 
midst  of  such  terrible  dangers,  anguish  crushes  my 
heart My  best  beloved,  you  must  go. 

The  Child     {^Embracing  her"] 

What!    I  must  go  on  account  of  the  Tartars? 
Well,  I  am  not  afraid,  I  am  not  really.    Do  you 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  83 

think  that  I  am  afraid?  You  remain  here,  my 
mother,  and  where  you  remain  there  I  must  be  too. 
— ■ —  Leave  my  mother  on  account  of  the  Tartars? 
I  do  not  want  to !  You  all  hear  me.  I  do  not  want 
to. 

Empress 

My  son!  You  will  show  greater  courage  in  say- 
ing good-bye  to  me.  And  you  must  prove  yourself 
worthy  of  your  noble,  your  more  than  human  lot. 
Remember  that  you  are  not  an  ordinary  child. 
Under  your  delicate  flesh,  in  the  fine  network  of 
your  veins,  flows  the  blood  of  divinity.  The  Bright 
Dynasty  has  no  representative  but  you  alone.  Oh, 
my  best  beloved !     You  are  the  son  of  Heaven ! 

[The  Child,  very  thoughtful,  lets  his  head  sink^ 

Faithful  Prince 

Raise  up  your  face,  do  not  turn  it  down,  dazzled 
by  the  bright  name  of  your  ancestors.  Already  you 
must  be  master  of  your  feelings.  You  owe  your 
heart  as  a  debt  to  this  people  unnumbered,  which  is 
conquered  and  oppressed  and  looks  to  you  for  its 
deliverance.  To  this  people  alone  belong  your 
thoughts,  your  actions,  your  very  life. 

The  Child     ISad  and  grave'] 
I  will  go I  will  not  cry. 


84  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Empress 
To  whom  shall  we  entrust  this  greatest  of  our 
treasures?     You  have  no  doubt  thought  about  it. 
I  feel  that  your  plans  are  made. 

Faithful  Prince 
Our  young  Emperor  has  shown  without  know- 
ing him,  a  sympathy  for  the  Viceroy  of  the  South. 
Now  he  is  precisely  the  best  situated  to  offer  him  an 
inviolable  refuge.  My  advice  is  that  we  entrust 
him  to  him. 

Empress     [To  The  Child] 
Will  that  please  you? 

The  Child 
Yes. 

Empress 
It  was  also  my  idea.     The  Viceroy  is  certainly 
still  at  the  palace  awaiting  my  orders.     [To  Arrow- 
Bearer]     Call  him  here. 

[Arrow-Bearer  goes  out.l 
Faithful  Prince     [To  the  Nurses] 
Prepare  for  an  immediate  departure.     You  will 
not  leave  your  young  master. 

Empress     [To  The  Child] 
I  envy  them.     Would  that  I  were  to-day  only  your 
servant. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  85 

Faithful  Prince  [To  the  Guards] 
An  escort  of  five  hundred  men,  well  chosen  and 
fully  armed.  [Exit  The  Guard]  To  Winged 
Prince.]  Prince,  you  will  accompany  the  Em- 
peror, and  as  soon  as  he  is  in  safety  you  will  return 
to  take  your  place  here  among  us. 

Winged  Prince 

I  shall  prove  myself  worthy  of  your  trust,  my 
preparations  will  be  brief.     [He  goes  out.'] 

To  your  posts  now,  noble  defenders  of  the  Son  of 
Heaven.  We  are  always  ready  for  war,  I  know 
it.  But  let  us  make  ourselves  still  stronger.  Let  us 
brace  up  our  courage,  let  us  prepare  our  hearts 
— ■ —  Let  messengers  be  sent  out  at  once  to  dis- 
cover exactly  the  position  and  importance  of  the 
army  which  is  marching  against  us.  [The  Em- 
press gives  a  signal]     You  may  take  your  leave. 

[The  Soldiers  go  out  one  after  another,  with  a 
geniiUection.] 

Empress     [To  The  Child] 

I  gaze  upon  you  to  engrave  on  my  memory 
your  adorable  features.  I  fill  my  eyes  with  them, 
just  as  if  I  did  not  already  know  every  detail,  every 

line;  but  they  are  going  from  me I  would 

wish  to  have  them  carved  in  marble,  and  memory  is 
as  unstable  as  water. 


86     THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

SCENE  XHI 

The  same,  Winged  Prince  returns  hurriedly. 
Winged  Prince     [To  Faithful  Prince,] 
A  courier  has  just  arrived  and  brings  strange 
news. 

Empress 
What  is  it  now? 

Winged  Prince 
The  Viceroy  of  the  South  sends  to  explain  to  your 
Majesty  that  the  reason  that  he  was  unable  to  reach 
the  palace  for  the  ceremony  to  which  he  was  invited 
was  because  he  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  moment 
when  he  was  about  to  enter  Nanking. 

Empress 
But  the  Viceroy  came  here! 

Winged  Prince 
That  was  not  the  real  Viceroy. 

Empress 
Not  the  real  Viceroy? 

Winged  Prince 
He  was  imprisoned  on  a  ship,  but  no  harm  came 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  87 

to  him,  and  he  was  treated  with  every  consideration 
— ' —     His  letter  explains  how  he  escaped. 

Faithful  Prince 
Treated  with  every  consideration!     What  does 
that  imply?    The  spies  of  the  Tsings  are  less  gen- 
erous. 

Winged  Prince 
The  Viceroy  sent  this  courier  in  all  haste;  he 
awaits   orders   to   come   and  prostrate   himself   at 
the  foot  of  the  throne  and  sue  for  pardon. 

Empress 

Then  that  man  who  was  here  ? Oh,  in  what 

frightful  web  are  we  now  caught? And  I 

was  about  to  entrust  my  son  to  that  unknown  man ! 
■  I  ordered  him  to  remain  here.  Run,  per- 
haps he  has  not  yet  gone. 

Arrow-Bearer     [Returning'] 

The   pavilion   is   empty.     This    silk   scroll   was 
placed  so  as  to  attract  immediate  attention. 

Empress     [excitedly'] 

Give  it  to  me! [Arrow-Bearer  gives  the 

scroll  to  Faithful  Prince,  who  gives  it  to  the  Em- 
press.    Aside.]     In  my  dream The  serpent 


88  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

that  coiled  about  me Ah !     It  was  he !     [She 

steps  aside  to  read.~\     Verses ! In  my  trouble, 

I  shall  scarce  be  able  to  read  them.  And  then  the 
meaning  seems  so  mysterious.  \To  The  Officers 
standing  nearest  to  her.']  Let  twenty  horsemen  be 
sent  out  at  once  in  all  directions,  pursue  him.  Let 
the  neighbouring  towns  be  searched  as  well.  A 
hundred  thousand  taels  to  him  who  brings  that  man 
back  to  me.  Go!  [To  Faithful  Prince  hand- 
ing him  the  silken  scrolW]  Read  it  to  me  Faithful 
Prince. 

Faithful  Prince     [reading"] 
Beneath  my  mask  I  kept  a  secret  watch  on  you. 

You  saw  my  face,  but  not  my  features  true ; 
You  heard  my  words,  but  not  my  secret  heart. 
The  day  will  come  when  I  shall  throw  away  the 

mask. 
Play  your  good  angel's  part. 
And  all  shall  bow  beneath  the  conquering  dragon's 
task. 
The  traitor  is  a  fine  scholar,  but  he  does  not  un- 
mask his  identity. 

Winged  Prince     [To  The  Child] 
Your  Majesty  must  no  longer  keep  about  your 
neck  like  a  relic  a  present  given  you  by  an  im- 
postor. 

The  Child     [Excitedly]     But  I  will  keep  it.    I 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  89 

thought  of  my  dead  father  when  I  saw  that  man, 
and  when  he  told  me  that  he  would  like  to  have  me 
for  a  son,  he  was  keeping  back  his  tears. 

Empress 
The  instinct  of  children  does  not  mislead  them 
nor  can  I  believe,  either,  that  the  unknown  vis- 
itor meant  us  harm  —    Let  us  wait  awhile  before 
we  begin  to  hate  him. 

[^She  stretches  out  her  hand  and  takes  the  poem 
which  she  places  next  to  her  heart J\ 


SCENE  XIV 

The  Same.    The  Women,  and  Arrow-Bearer 
First  Nurse 

All  the  preparations  are  completed. 

Arrow-Bearer 
The  escort  is  ready. 

Empress     [Embracing  her  son"] 
Yes,  but  to  whom  will  you  now  entrust  your  Em- 
peror ?     Let  us  take  time  to  think  at  least Or 

perhaps,  since  there  is  such  immediate  need,  you  have 
deceived  me,  and  we  are  surrounded?  Where  is 
the  Tartar  army?    I  am  not  an  idol  shut  up  in  a 

shrine.    Let  me  be  told  the  truth ! Where  is 

this  army? 


90  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Faithful  Prince 

Very  near  and  in  great  force The  messen- 
gers  will   bring   us   details   this   evening In 

order  not  to  cloud  the  brow  of  your  Majesty  during 
the  glorious  days  of  your  investiture  we  have  de- 
ceived you  it  is  true.     Forgive  us ! 

Empress 

I  understand but  now  my  son,  to  whom  is  he 

to  be  entrusted  ? 

Faithful  Prince 

Still  to  the  Viceroy  of  the  South  to  the 
real  one  we  may  trust  him.  His  devotion  of  ten 
years  has  stood  all  tests.  So  we  must  now  march 
to  meet  him,  and  without  losing  an  hour  he  must  re- 
trace his  steps  toward  Yunnan  with  his  precious 
charge.  To  this  end  the  start  must  be  made  in- 
stantly, so  that  the  two  escorts  may  meet  before 
nightfall.  [To  Winged  Prince]  Prince,  until 
further  orders,  remain  with  the  Emperor.  Keep  up 
constant  communication  with  the  frontier,  and  on 
the  first  alarm  take  the  child  out  of  the  Empire. 

Empress 

And  every  day  a  courier  must  bring  me  news,  as 
long  as  the  roads  are  free  about  our  walls  and  our 
gates  are  open. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  91 

Winged  Prince 

I  shall  attend  to  all,  relying  on  none  other  than 
myself. 

Faithful  Prince 

And  we  all  know  the  value  of  your  watchfulness. 
[^One  of  the  oificers  who  left  previously  at  the 
command  of  the  Empress  returns  hastily. '\ 

Officer 

The  horsemen  have  returned The  fugi- 
tives have  been  seen,  the  man  and  his  accomplice. 
They  were  riding  horses  which  devoured  the  ground. 
One  of  those  swift  ships  such  as  are  used  by  the 
Western  Barbarian  was  awaiting  them  at  the  water's 
edge.  It  is  bearing  them  along  at  present  with  the 
speed  of  lightning.     All  pursuit  would  be  futile. 

Empress 

I  was  prepared  for  that He  would  not  per- 
mit himself  to  be  captured  like  an  ordinary  fugi- 
tive!      No,  I  knew  that  he  would  carry  away 

with  him  the  mystery  which  he  was  pleased  to  keep 
up  here. 

Faithful  Prince     \_To  The  Empress.] 

Your  Majesty,  the  time  has  come,  we  must  has- 
ten. 


92  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Empress 

Yes,  I  am  ready  — —  Only  one  instant,  one  last 
minute!  [She  conducts  the  little  Emperor  to  the 
throne,  on  which  she  seats  himJ]  Permit  me  to 
render  to  the  Son  of  Heaven  the  homage  which  is 
his  due.  [She  kneels.'\  May  your  life  be  happy 
and  long,  your  reign  peaceful  and  prosperous! 
[She  hows  three  times. '\  May  your  dynasty  en- 
dure eternally. 
[The  men  and  the  nurses  prostrate  themselves.'] 

The  Child     [on  the  verge  of  tears'] 
I  promised  that  I  would  not  cry. 

Empress 

In  triumph  and  glory  may  you  come  back  to  us 
soon!  [She  rises.  The  Child  descends  from  the 
throne,  approaches  the  Empress^  and  kneels  in  turn] 

The  Child 

Mother,  tell  me,  I  am  not  going  for  long,  am  I  ? 

Empress  [Stooping  and  embracing  her  son  pas- 
sionately]    No,  my  best  beloved,  no only  for 

a  few  days  if  the  gods  whom  I  implore  will  it  so! 

Have  courage  sweet  little  flower [To 

the  Nurses]     Now  go! 

[The  Nurses  lead  away  the  little  Emperor.     He 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  93 

keeps  his  gaze  fixed  on  his  mother  until  he  is  out 
of  sight. ]^ 


SCENE  XV 

The  Empress,  the  Faithful  Prince,  and  sev- 
eral Ladies-in-Waiting. 

[The  Empress  watches  him  disappear,  and  then 
mounts  the  steps  of  the  terrace  to  get  a  last  glimpse 
of  him,  and  when  he  is  out  of  sight  she  cries  aloud 
in  her  anguish,  wringing  her  hands."] 

Faithful  Prince 
Noble  Sovereign,  have  courage. 

Empress' 
Ah,  no,  leave  me.     I  am  at  the  end  of  my  strength ! 
I  played  the  Empress,  did  I  not,  as  long  as 


my  child  was  here  ? Now  that  he  is  gone,  let 

me  be  a  woman,  let  me  be  his  mother ! I  shall 

never  again  see  him  whom  you  have  just  taken  away 
from  me.  Never,  do  you  hear?  I  feel  it,  I  know 
it!  Since  we  are  above  ordinary  beings,  may 
Heaven  be  just  to  us  and  give  us  superhuman 
strength!     Why  have  we  hearts  like  other  people, 

and  anguish  which  breaks  them? Ah,!  the 

very  beggar-women  in  rags  in  the  street  are  less  mis- 
erable !     No  handsome  spy  comes  to  them,  to  make 


94  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

their  souls  falter,  and  then  flees and  after  that 

their  children  are  not  taken  away  from  them ! 

Your  Empress  would  rather  be  a  beggar,  hungry 
and  cold,  but  clasping  her  little  one  to  her  breast 

Yes,  a  beggar  I  tell  you,  who  holds  out  her 

hand  to  passers-by  as  she  sits  on  the  steps  of  a 

temple! [Sobbing,  she  throws  herself  on  the 

terrace  steps.^ 


CURTAIN 


ACT  THREE. 


[Before  the  curtain  rises,  shots  are  heard.  It  is 
night-fall  in  the  Imperial  Citadel  at  Nan- 
king, half  battered-down  by  the  Tartars.  Be- 
hind a  huge  wall  with  battlements  are  heard 
the  sound  of  trumpets  and  the  shouts  of  sol- 
diers in  the  distance.  At  the  back,  to  the  left, 
is  a  bronze  gate,  heavily  boarded  and  sur- 
mounted by  a  black  turret  with  a  three-tiered 
angular  roof.  In  the  middle  of  the  stage  is  a 
funeral  pile  of  scaffolding  and  fagots.  At  the 
back,  to  the  right,  the  crenellated  wall  contin- 
ues; terraces  are  visible  and  in  the  far  distance 
the  outline  of  the  palace  stands  out  in  relief 
against  the  sky,  yellow  in  the  setting  sun.  On 
the  top  of  the  wall,  and  over  the  gateway  are 
Chinese  soldiers,  who  are  firing  their  last  shots 
at  the  invisible  besiegers.'^ 


SCENE  I 

The  Empress,  the  Faithful  Prince,  Arrow- 
Bearer,  the  Ladies-in-Waiting,  Chinese  Sol- 
diers. 

[Wounded  men  are  lying  in  their  own  blood  here 
and  there  among  the  ruins.  The  Empress  is  in  the 
middle  of  the  stage,  accoutred  like  a  warrior,  hel- 
meted,  holding  a  weapon  in  her  bleeding  hand.  The 
Faithful  Prince  is  on  the  top  of  the  rampart  with 
the  Soldiers.  Arrow-Bearer,  mortally  wounded, 
lies  in  the  foreground  to  the  left.l 

Faithful  Prince  [From  the  height  of  the  ram- 
parts giving  orders  to  cease  Hre"]  Enough,,  my 
brave  friends ! Stop  shooting  down  the  fugi- 
tives     Let  us  keep  our  powder  for  the  final 

attack. 

[The  soldiers  cease  firing.'] 

They  have  fled,  once  again  we  are  saved ! 

Empress 

Ah !    Saved,  yes ! Saved  for  a  few  minutes 

at  least.  We  have  time  to  meditate  before  death. 
[She  sits  on  a  stone.  To  the  Ladies-in-Waiting 
who  Hock  about  her.']  Look  now  to  those  who  are 
suffering.    I  need  nothing,  only  my  hand  is  bleeding, 

that  does  not  matter See  what  they  need,  go 

97 


98  THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

to  their  aid;  you  have  the  poison  in  the  tiny  flasks, 
have  you  not? 

Ladies-in-Waiting 
[^Showing  her  the  golden  flasks  which  they  carry 
in  the  folds  of  their  dress,  on  to  each  of  which  is  at- 
tached a  little  cup  of  jade.  J     We  have  them,  noble 
Sovereign. 

Empress 

That  which  they  most  desire,  no  doubt,  is  death 

Pour  out  the  draught  of  the  Great  DeHver- 

ance  for  those  who  are  suffering  the  most Be 

sparing  with  it,  however,  for,  alas!  we  have  not 
enough  for  all.  The  contents  of  the  little  cup  of 
jade  chained  to  the  flask  is  sufficient  for  one  man, 
it  is  the  proper  dose.  Go,  my  devoted  maids,  bring 
them  sleep.  That  is  your  duty  in  this  hour.  [To 
Cinnamon.]     And  you,  Cinnamon,  remain  near  me, 

you  shall  pour  out  my  portion Place  your 

flask  on  the  stone,  very  near  me,  with  my  Imperial 
cup. 

[Cinnamon  obeys.  The  other  Ladies-in- 
Waiting  go  among  the  wounded,  leaning  over  them 
and  offering  them  the  potion  in  a  low  voice.  In  the 
distance  firing  is  still  heard.^ 

Golden  Lotus 
[Very  gently  to  Arrow-Bearer,  whom  she  ap- 
proaches at  oncel 
My  lord,  do  you  wish  to  die  ?    Then  I  shall  empty 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  99 

the  cup  also  soon  after  you Do  you  wish  to 

die? 

Arrow-Bearer     [After  a  silence  and  as  if  in  a 
trance'] 

No,  my  fair  trembling  flower,  my  fair  flower  of 

the  lake ! Before  you  came  to  me,  I  wished 

it Now  I  wish  it  no  longer.     Let  me  remain 

for  a  little  while  among  the  living,  to  cherish  in  my 
heart  that  word  of  love  which  you  have  just  spoken. 
Help  those  who  are  suffering  more  than  I,  without 

a  friend and  then  you  will  return  and  I  shall 

rest  my  head  on  your  knees  before  going  to  the  Land 
of  the  Shades. 

Golden  Lotus 

It  shall  be  as  you  command,  dear  lord Be 

sure  I  will  return  to  you. 

l^She  goes  to  the  assistance  of  the  other  wounded, 
followed  by  the  gaze  of  the  dying  Arrow-Bearer. 
The  soldiers  in  the  foreground  add  beams,  fagots, 
and  branches  to  the  funeral  pile.  A  tumidt  is  heard 
to  the  right,  in  the  wings,  where  more  soldiers  come 
on.] 

Empress 

Who  is  there? 

Captain  of  Soldiers 
It  is  our  envoy  Wan-tsi  who  has  succeeded  in  ap- 
proaching our  walls  and  will  bring  us  the  news  from 


100    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

without.    We  have  thrown  down  the  rope-ladder  to 
him,  and  here  he  is. 

Empress 

Ah !  — —  Let  him  come.  [To  the  soldiers  who 
stand  behind  her  and  are  adding  to  the  fire.']  Rest 
awhile  my  friends!     There  is  more  than  enough 

now  to  consume  my  body Why  do  you  make 

the  fire  so  large? 

Captain 

Why  do  we  want  so  large  a  fire  ? Faithful 

Prince  will  tell  your  Majesty,  when  he  presents  our 
last  request. 


SCENE  11 

The  same,  with  the  Envoy  Wan-tsi,  who  ap- 
proaches the  Empress.  His  shoes  and  the  hem  of 
his  robe  are  blood-stained.    He  prostrates  himself. 

Empress 

Arise,  we  have  no  further  need  of  prostrations. 
We  are  all  equal  here.  There  is  but  one  rank  now, 
that  which  is  conferred  on  all  alike  by  the  nobility 

of  sacrifice.     [Wan-tsi  riscs.l     Now,  speak 

spare  me  nothing Besides  I  guess 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         lor 

Wan-tsi 
Ah,  yes,  all  is  over.  Oh,  my  Sovereign.    Only 
your  Palace  still  stands. 

Empress 
But  not  for  long ! 

Wan-tsi 
The  approaches  to  the  walls  have  been  abandoned. 
Perchance  they  may  permit  us  to  live  until  to-night 
has  ended. 

Empress 
And  the  rest  of  the  city,  the  western  citadels  ? 

Wan-tsi 

Are  in  the  hands  of  the  Tartars.     All  alike ! 

This  cast  off  uniform  of  some  enemy  saved  me 

In  the  streets  they  are  burning,  killing,  and  murder- 
ing.    Several  thousand  women  have  succeeded  in 

throwing    themselves    into    the    river The 

others  have  been  outraged,  and  strangled  at  the 
same  time.  Blood  flows  along  the  pavement  in 
streams  like  the  water  of  Heaven  after  a  storm. 
Every  gutter  discharges  itself  in  the  river  like  a 
great  red  fan.  Down  the  whole  length  of  the  street 
corpses  are  to  be  seen,  their  bodies  still  warm,  pour- 
ing blood  through  the  gashes  in  their  throats 

Noble  Sovereign,  on  my  way  I  climbed  over  thou- 


102    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

sands  of  dead  bodies,  my  feet  became  entangled  in 

their  long  hair  trailing  from  the  several  heads 

Oh  Majesty,  it  is  the  end.  [He  kneels  again.'\ 
And  now  forgive  me  for  being  the  messenger  of 
misfortune. 

Empress 

My  brave  and  faithful  messenger,  I  thank  you! 
Arise,  I  told  you,  and  take  your  place  among  my 
last  remaining  soldiers 

[Wan-sti  rises  and  takes  his  place  among  the 
soldiers,  who  still  continue  to  add  fuel  to  the  -fire. 
To  Cinnamon,  pointing  to  the  Uask  and  the  golden 
cup.l 

Cinnamon,  the  hour  has  come. 

Cinnamon 

Oh  Majesty,  not  yet.  [The  other  Ladies-in- 
Waiting,  scattered  among  the  wounded,  have  heard 
the  command  and  silently  come  and  take  their  places 
about  their  Sovereign.] 

Empress 

Would  you  wish  to  have  them  take  me  alive? 
That  man  who  has  seen,  you  have  beard  what  he  has 
just  said. 

Tranquil  Beauty 

But  the  palace  is  still  standing. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         103 

Pearl 
The  army  of  the  South  may  come  to  save  us. 

Empress 

To  avenge  us  perhaps later.     But  to  save  us 

child,  who  think  you  could  save  us?     [To  her- 


self.Ji  Ah,  that  mysterious  aid  for  which  I  have  so 
foolishly  hoped ! "  The  Star,"  said  the  hand- 
some lying  spy,  "  the  star  which  shall  watch  over  me 
so  well  when  all  shall  bow  before  the  triumph  of  the 
Dragon."     Child,  who  think  you  could  save  us? 

We  have  no  more  powder,  no  more  men,  no 

water,  nothing.  We  have  hurled  down  the  stones 
of  our  ramparts;  the  gates  give  way,  the  walls  are 

crumbling [To  Cinnamon]     Give  it  to  me, 

the  hour  has  come. 

Tranquil  Beauty 
Sometimes  when  one  believes  all  lost,  fortune 
changes. 

Pearl 
Beloved  sovereign,  hasten  not  the  irretrievable. 

Empress 

The  irretrievable  would  be  to  wait  too  long! 

\^She  makes  an  imperious  sign  to  Cinnamon, 
who  pours  the  poison  into  the  cup.  But  an  uproar 
is  heard  from  the  summit  of  the  rampart  to  which 


104    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

the  Faithful  Prince  has  just  mounted  again 
above  the  barricaded  gate.  Night  continues  to 
fall] 

What  is  it  now? 

Faithful  Prince 
A  small  body  of  Tartars  has  boldly  come  un- 
armed to  the  very  foot  of  the  walls.  One  of  them, 
whose  manner  is  calm  and  noble,  says  that  he  has 
been  sent  by  the  Emperor  with  a  last  communica- 
tion to  your  Majesty.  He  showed  us,  under  the 
light  of  a  torch  which  we  lit,  the  Imperial  seal  of 
the  Tsings,  of  a  scroll  of  yellow  silk. 

Empress 
A  communication?     From  the  usurper  to  your 
Sovereign,  a  communication?     Is  not  the  very  idea 
an  insult  ?    Let  these  bold  men  go  away  unharmed, 
but  tell  them  to  go  at  once. 

[Cinnamon  gradually  retires  with  her  cup  of 
poison.] 

Faithful  Prince  [^Descending  again  from  the 
ramparts  and  approaching  the  Empress  with  an  air 
of  mystery.]  The  one  whose  bearing  is  so  digni- 
fied, I  seem  to  have  seen  before. 

Empress 
To  have  seen  him.     Where? 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         105 

Faithful  Prince 
{^Coming  nearer  and  lowering  his  voiced  My  sov- 
ereign, I  think that  unknown,  who  came  the 

day  of  the  investiture I  am  sure  of  it  — 

It  is  he! 

Empress 
[Arising   bezmldered'\     Why   do   yoti   whisper? 
Prince,  you  almost  insult  me  with  that  tone 


of  confidence,  when  it  concerns  that  man.  You 
mean  him  who  presented  himself  fraudulently  as  our 
Viceroy  of  the  South? 

Faithful  Prince 
Yes. 

Empress 

Very  well  then,  have  him  brought  here.  Throw 
the  rope-ladder  to  him  that  he  may  appear  before 
me.  [The  ladder  is  thrown  from  the  top  of  the 
wall.'] 

Hide  the  poison.  Cinnamon^  and  the  golden  flask 
as  well.  He  who  is  coming  need  not  know.  .  .  . 
Has  the  fire  darkened  my  face? 

{^The  newcomers  appear  at  the  top  of  the  rampart, 
the  Tartar  Emperor  Urst,  followed  by  Fount-in- 
THE-FoREST  and  three  other  persons  in  Tartar 
soldiers^  uniform,  but  unarmed.] 


io6    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 
SCENE  HI 

The  Tartar  Emperor  and  The  Empress 

\_The  Emperor  advances  while  the  four  men  of 
his  suite  remain  in  the  rear.  At  a  signal  from  the 
Empress,  the  Ladies-in-Waiting  and  all  others 
on  the  stage  retire  to  the  back.'\ 

Emperor 
[^Bending  the  knee  before  her,  as  on  the  Corona- 
tion day"]     Oh,  Sovereign,  oh,  brave  warrior,  may 
the  day  dawn  which  will  brighten  your  dark  destiny ! 
[He  rises."] 

Empress     {Trembling"] 
Oh,  dispense  with  all  vain  formalities.     The  min- 
utes left  to  us  are  sparingly  numbered Drop 

the  mask  and  speak  quickly.  Who  are  you?  A 
Tartar,  alas!  are  you  not?  Otherwise  you  would 
have  been  unable  to  break  through  their  ring  of 
steel A  Tartar,  say? 

Emperor 

Y€S. 

Empress 
A  spy,  then,  when  you  came  on  my  Coronation 
day?     Nothing  but  a  spy,  alas! 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         107 

Emperor 
No  ?    One  who  risked  his  hfe  that  day,  as  he  does 
again,  to  save  yours. 

Empress 
My  life  is  no  longer  of  any  importance,  and  the 
right  to  save  it  belongs  to  none.  At  the  Court  of 
the  Usurper  who  reigns  at  Peking  what  position  is 
yours? Secret  agent  for  venturesome  mis- 
sions?    No,  a  great  dignitary,  then?     Tell  me. 


Emperor 


Yes. 


Empress 
And  a  Prince  ? 

Emperor 
What  matters  it  what  I  am?    Your  Majesty  is 
the  chief  concern.     Deign  to  listen  to  what  the  Em- 
peror   

Empress     [Interrupting'] 

Where  is  your  Emperor?    At  the  head  of  his 
troops  ? 

Emperor     \Emharrassed] 
Well No,  in  his  place  over  yonder.    The 


io8    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

rites,  I  need  scarcely  tell  you,  do  not  permit  him  to 
leave  it. 

[Throughout  this  dialogue  the  cannon  is  heard  in- 
cessantly in  distant  parts  of  the  city.^ 

Empress 
The  rites,  ah,  the  rites!     You  see  what  attention 
I  have  paid  to  the  rites,  I,  the  daughter  of  the  Mings, 

the  daughter  of  Heaven  and  the  Invisible I 

am  here  in  the  midst  of  my  soldiers.  I  am  fighting 
like  them ! And  it  is  he,  your  phantom  Em- 
peror, who  dares  to  send  me  a  message? 

Emperor 
With  a  message  of  pardon  one  always  dares 

Empress 
Say  rather  that  a  message  of  pardon  is  the  last 
message  which  may  be  sent  when  it  is  from  him  and 

concerns  me ! So  the  Tartars  dare  to  offer 

pardon ! You  have  just  passed  through  my 

city  of  Nanking  and  you  have  seen  ?  It  is  glorious, 
is  it  not,  their  work? 

Emperor 

Alas !  yes,  I  have  seen  with  horror, but  I  can 

swear  to  you  by  my  life  that  such  were  not  the  or- 
ders which  were  given  by  my  Sovereign. 

Empress 
Ah!  a  Sovereign  then,  who  has  not  the  force 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         109 

wherewith  to  command  obedience ! So  others 

have  told  me  that  before I  still  hate  him  with 

that  ineradicable  race-hatred  which  you  know,  to 
which  now  contempt  is  added.  Oh,  that  Emperor 
who  smokes  opium  in  his  mummy's  palace,  while 
his  hordes  of  soldiers  at  their  own  free  will  go 
through  the  provinces,  leaving  red  tracks  behind 
and  charnel-houses  for  the  vultures ! 

And  if  the  impossible  were  to  happen  and  I  were 
to  humiliate  myself  sufficiently  to  accept  his  pardon, 
who  would  warrant  me  after  all  —  since  he  is  not 
obeyed?  Amid  that  army  of  wild  beasts  which 
was  here  awhile  ago  and  will  return  soon  to  shout 
for  our  death,  who  could  enforce  the  order  of  pardon 
of  your  phantom  Emperor? Who,  I  ask? 

Emperor 
I! 

Empress 

You!  \_More  gently  and  in  some  agitation.l 
You!  Perhaps  in  very  truth  you  might,  for  you 
seem  to  be  one  of  those  whom  one  dare  not  dis- 
obey. Moreover  you  have  the  superb  audacity  to 
reappear  at  this  moment!  But  if  the  loyalty  which 
I  read  in  your  eyes  does  not  deceive  me,  cease  the 
game  which  you  are  playing,  and  this  time  answer 
Who  are  you? 


no         THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Emperor 
Who  am  I?  Up  to  now  nothing!  Inexistent 
as  a  vaporous  cloud!  Nothing!  But  to-morrow 
perhaps  everything,  if  you  so  wish  it.  To-morrow 
everything  and  radiating  at  your  side  like  a  sun  in 
the  blue  ether 

Empress  [Drawing  back] 
Ah,  you  remember  all  too  well  my  recent  indul- 
gence toward  your  enigmas.  Amid  the  perfume  of 
incense,  amid  pomp  and  luxury,  I  betrayed  the 
weakness  of  a  woman.  To-day,  no;  you  find  me 
stronger  and  more  stern,  precisely  because  I  am 
defeated,  and  know  that  I  must  die. 

Emperor     [Bowing  before  her] 
Oh,  Sovereign,  never  were  you  more  sacred  to  me 
Do  not  be  offended  by  my  words  and  for  a 


short  tim'e  still  allow  me  my  mask  and  my  mystery. 
Hear  only  this :  A  fortnight  ago,  when  I  left  that 
palace  where  I  saw  you  in  all  your  Imperial  splen- 
dour, I  hastened  to  Peking  to  request  of  that  Em- 
peror whom  you  hate  that  he  would  stop  this  hor- 
rible waf.  On  the  way  I  learned  that  our  Tartar 
armies  were  marching  with  lightning  speed,  and  I 
turned  back  as  quick  as  my  ship  and  horses  could 
take  me,  to  give  to  them  myself  the  order  for  peace. 
I  have  the  right  to  do  so.  See,  here  is  the  seal 
which  gives  me  full  power  in  the  name  of  Tsings. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         m 

As  you  have  said,  I  am  one  of  those  whom  men 
dare  not  disobey;  at  least,  not  face  to  face,  when  I 
speak I  have  learned  now  how  to  give  or- 
ders and  to  enforce  them.  Deign  only  to  allow 
your  soldiers  to  give  the  signal  for  a  truce,  just  to 
hoist  the  flag  on  the  tower,  and  not  one  of  their 
heads  shall  fall,  I  swear  it 

Empress 
To  make  that  offer  to  me.  Prince,  you  must  not 

be  of  the  Imperial  blood The  Daughter  of 

Heaven  can  never  accept  the  mercy  of  a  Tar- 
tar!  


SCENE  IV. 

The  same,  Faithful  Prince,  A  Watchman, 
the  Captain  of  the  Soldiers,  and  the  Soldiers. 

Watchman 
[Announcing  from  the  height  of  a  turret  at  the 
summit  of  the  ramparts'\  An  army,  see,  over  there. 
The  Tartars  are  returning!  Thousands  and  thou- 
sands of  them.  In  the  distance  they  appear  in  the 
twilight  like  a  long  black  trail 

Faithful  Prince 
How  far? 


112    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Watchman 
At  the  bend  of  the  river,  I  can  see  their  vanguard 
•     They   are   marching   along   the   avenue   of 


Sitche-Men. 

Faithful  Prince 

Let  them  come It  will  be  their  last  attack 

Only  at  the  bend  of  the  river.     Then  we 


have  still  half  an  hour 


Watchman 
They  are  lighting  their  torches,  and  now  I  hear 
their  war-trumpets. 

Faithful  Prince 
Be  it  so ! We  shall  be  ready. 

Emperor     [Imploring  her  with  clasped  hands] 
Sovereign ! 

The  Empress     [^As  though  ready  to  yield] 
For  myself,  no! I  have  declared  my  inten- 
tions, that  is  my  last  word ! \_Pointing  to  her 

Soldiers.]     But  all  these  brave  men,  who  are  ready 

to  drop  with  exhaustion,  with  hunger  and  thirst 

[To  Faithful  Prince]     Ah,  well,  for  their  sakes, 
yes,  let  us  raise  the  flag  of  truce. 

Faithful  Prince     [Incredulously] 
The  flag  of  truce! 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         113 

Empress 
Yes,  I  have  said  so,  oh,  noble  subject!     I  have 

said  it ! My  death  alone  must  be  sufficient 

satisfaction  for  the  enemy.  Since  there  is  no  more 
hope,  of  what  avail  is  this  final  slaughter?  Let 
the  signal  be  raised. 

Faithful  Prince 
Not  one  of  the  warriors  will  yield. 

Empress 

But  if  I  command  them! Am  I  no  longer 

their  Empress? 

Faithful  Prince 
Submissive  to  your  every  command,  they  refuse 
to  obey  that  one  order. 

Empress     [To  her  Soldiers] 

Can  it  be  true? My  friends,  this  instant  I 

command  it,  do  you  hear  me? Oh,  spare  me 

this  excess  of  anguish,  my  dear  rebels ! You 

cannot  wish  that  I  should  be  transported  into  the 

other  world  along  the  stream  of  your  blood 

[The  Soldiers  drop  their  heads  and  stand  motion- 
less, holding  their  weapons. 1 

Captain  of  Soldiers.     [After  a  silence^ 
Majesty,  the  Prince  has  already  answered  for  all 


114    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

of  us !     We  emphatically  refuse  to  ask  for  a  truce. 

Empress     [Turning  towards  the  Emperor  in  a 

sudden  exidtation  of  triumph."]     Ah,  you  see  I  am 

like  your  Tartar  Emperor;  I  am  not  obeyed.     Go 

tell  him,  report  to  your  master and  at  the  same 

time  you  may  tell  him  that  we  know  how  to  die 
nobly  in  the  palace  of  the  Mings.  Go,  my  lord,  you 
may  take  your  leave. 

Emperor     [Imploring  more  insistentlyl 
Sovereign,  what  if  I  now  were  to  implore  your 

pardon the  right  to  remain  here  and  die  at 

your  side? 

Empress 

I  grant  the  honour  of  dying  at  the  side  of  the 
Empress,  only  to  those  brave  men  —  who  are  of  my 

race,  do  you  understand  ? and  who  have  spilled 

their  blood  to  defend  me.  Go,  my  lord,  I  have 
commanded  you. 

[Coming  toward  him,  speaking  very  low  and 
quickly,  like  a  desperate  woman.]    One  more  word, 

however My  son,  who  is  still  in  the  keeping 

of  the  army  of  the  South My  son since 

you  seem  to  dare  all  and  to  have  all  power  will  you 

try  to  save  him  ? But  no when  it  is  the 

mother  who  speaks  in  me  I  can  no  longer  reason 

To  attempt  that  would  mean  to  be  a  traitor 

to  the  master  whom  you  serve—— 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  115 

Emperor 

I  serve  no  master,  I  am  above  treason,  free  as  the 
gods,  and  answerable  to  my  own  conscience  only. 
I  will  try I  will  live  to  try. 

Empress 

Do  so,   and  be  this  your  reward Later, 

among  the  clouds,  where  all  the  dead  meet  and  are 

at  peace my  shades  shall  not  be  hostile  to  yours 

Now  go,   my  lord,   our  last  moments   are 

necessary   to    us [To    Faiithful    Prince, 

making  a  sign  to  him  to  conduct  the  Tartar  Em- 
peror.]    Prince,  the  audience  is  at  an  end. 

Faithful  Prince 

[To  the  Emperor,  who  hesitates,  as  if  on  the 
point  of  making  a  decisive  revelation']  Go,  my 
lord.  You  have  heard  our  sovereign  dismiss  you. 

[He  wants  to  lead  him  to  that  part  of  the  wall 
where  he  ascended"] 

Empress.  [Indicating  the  bronze  gate,  bar- 
ricaded by  boards]  No,  open  that  gate.  We  still 
have  time.  For  the  last  time,  I  desire  that  my  pal- 
ace be  left  as  if  I  still  had  liberty  and  power 

Open  it.  [The  Soldiers  hasten  to  take  away  the 
boards  and  open  the  two  doors  of  the  gateway.] 
All  honour  must  be  accorded  the  messenger  of  peace. 


ii6    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

\^The  Soldiers  kneel,  the  gong  and  the  trumpets 
are  sounded.l 

Emperor 

Yes,  messenger  of  peace,  in  spite  of  you  yourself 
and  in  all  circumstance.  [Turning  about,  facing 
her  and  speaking  like  one  inspired-l  The  dragon 
will  descend   from  the  height  of  the  dark  storm 

clouds and  in  his  claws  he  will  gently  pick  up, 

in  her  own  despite,  the  beautiful  phoenix  who  wished 
to  die — — 

[He  goes  out,  followed  by  the  four  Tartar 
warriors.  The  Soldiers  barricade  the  gate  again 
with  planks  and  stones.l 


SCENE  V. 

The  same,  without  the  Emperor  and  the  Tar- 
tars. 

The    Empress,     [as     the    Ladies-in-Waiting 

gather  about  her.^     Who  is  that  man who  is 

so  like  a  god? 

Pearl 
All  of  a  tremble,  we  watched  him  from  afar 


Tranquil  Beauty 
His  eyes  radiated  noble  love. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         117 

Cinnamon 
Yet  your  Majesty,  always  so  gentle  to  us,  seemed 
very  haughty  towards  him. 

Empress.  [Without  replying,  dreamily  repeats 
the  Coronation  admonition.']  Be  attentive  and  anx- 
ious as  if  you  carried  a  vase  filled  to  the  brim 
with  water,  of  which  not  a  drop  must  be  spilled. 

The  Watchman  [From  the  height  of  the  tur- 
ret over  the  gate]  The  torches  of  their  vanguard 
can  be  seen  at  the  corner  of  the  Avenue  of  the  East 

The  sound  of  their  artillery- wagons  can  be 

faintly  heard 


Empress 
Already  at  the  corner  of  the  Avenue  of  the  East! 
Death  is  flying  to  us  on  wings     [She  takes 


the  cup  full  of  poison  which  Cinnamon  had  hidden 

behind  a  stone]     The  hour  has  come! [To 

the  Ladies-in-Waiting  around  her,  pointing  to  the 
pyre.]  As  soon  as  the  potion  has  accomplished  its 
work,  you  will  place  me  there,  and  when  the  flame 
mounts  higher  and  clearer,  then  your  service  to 
your  Empress  will  be  terminated,  you  will  empty 
the  golden  flask,  to  follow  me.  [She  puts  down  the 
cup  of  poison  which  she  was  about  to  raise  to  her 
lips.]     Faithful   Prince,    I   wish  to   say   good-bye 

to  him Call  him. 

[During  the  preceding  dialogue,  the  Faithful 


ii8    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Prince,  at  the  back  of  the  stage,  a  torch  in  his 
hand,  superintends  a  group  of  Soldiers,  who  are 
using  crowbars  and  pickaxes. ~\ 

Cinnamon 
Over  yonder,  is  that  not  he? 
[Faithful  Prince  orders  the  Soldiers  to  remove 
a  rock,  which  hides  a  small  bronze  doorS\ 

Empress 
Ah,  I  knew 

Pearl 
What  is  he  doing? 

Empress 

What  must  be  done!  He  too,  realising  that  the 
hour  has  come  for  me  to  go  to  my  last  sleep,  is  pre- 
paring my  couch.  These  galleries  beneath  the  earth 
lead  to  my  tomb. 

[The  bronze  door  opens.  Pearl  kneels  and 
hides  her  face.  Golden  Lotus,  a  little  apart  from 
the  group,  is  kneeling  near  Arrow-Bearer,  and 
speaks  tenderly  to  him,  as  she  smooths  his  fore- 
head.^ 

This  proud  tomb,  long  ago  hewn  out  secretly,  is 
of  no  use  now.  There  rather,  there  in  the  beauti- 
ful flame  and  the  eddying  smoke,  my  spirit  will 
ascend  to  the  clouds Nothing  of  me  shall  re- 
main for  the  hands  of  the  Tartar  to  profane.     In 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  119 

vain  they  will  have  surrounded  me.     I  shall  escape 
them,  in  the  air 

Tranquil  Beauty     {Also  kneeling'] 
But  Sovereign,  since  this  tomb  is  secret  and  is  in- 
violable, at  least  permit  your  attendants  to  bury  you 

there,  in  magnificence. Permit  that,  oh,  well 

beloved  Sovereign; That  flame,  oh,  why  that 

flame?     No,  no,  it  is  too  horrible. 

Empress 
Child,  do  you  not  know  the  history  of  our  race? 
My  ancestor,  defeated  in  this  same  place,  defeated  as 

I  am,  killed  himself An  hour  later  his  tomb 

was  violated,  his  body  was  thrown  into  the  street  as 
food  for  the  dogs  and  the  vultures I  have  de- 
clared my  will.  Go  call  Faithful  Prince.  He 
wastes  his  strength  in  a  vain  task,  when  he  is  bleed- 
ing. See,  the  blood  covers  his  robe.  His  wound 
has  reopened,  he  pays  no  heed  to  it.     At  least  let 

him  spare  time  to  bid  me  farewell Go,  it  is 

my  wish.  [Tranquil  Beauty  rises  and  goes  over 
to  the  Prince.  During  the  preceding  dialogue, 
he  has  been  ordering  the  Soldiers  to  light  more 
torches  and  to  carry  them  into  the  vault.] 

Tranquil    Beauty     [Advancing    to    Faithful 
Prince] 

Prince! The  Empress 


120        THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 
[Faithful  Prince  approaches  the  Empress.] 

SCENE  VI. 

The  Empress,  Faithful  Prince,  Tranquil 
Beauty,  The  Captain  of  the  Soldiers,  A  Watch- 
man. 

Empress     \_To  Faithful  Prince] 
Prince,   I   wish  to  bid   you   farewell.     My  last 
spoken  word  must  be  to  you,  with  my  everlasting 
gratitude. 

IShe  raises  the  poison-ciip  to  her  lips.'] 

Faithful  Prince     [With  a  gesture  as  though  to 
stop  her.] 
No,  my  Divine  Empress,  no.     The  hour  of  rest, 
alas!  has  not  come  for  you  or  for  me.     No,  your 
hard  task  is  not  yet  completed ! 

Empress 
My  task,  you  say,  is  not  yet  completed?     But  the 
palace  is  only  a  ruin.     The  gates  are  giving  way, 

the  walls  are  crumbling This  time  we  can 

withstand  the  attack  only  ten  minutes it  is  the 

end! 

Faithful  Prince 
Alas,  I  know  it  all  too  well.     There  is  no  hope. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         121 

Empress 

Then  let  me  go the  Tartars  are  returning. 

Listen,  I  too  begin  to  hear  their  war-trumpets.  You 
would  not  have  that  they  should  take  your  Em- 
press alive,  or  even  find  her  body  to  throw  to  the 
crows. 

Faithful  Prince 

Hear  me,  I  entreat  you! [He  motions  to 

Veiled-Light,  who  has  just  appeared  at  the  back. 
The  Empress  has  set  down  the  cup  on  a  stone. 1 
We  have  deferred  making  known  to  you  the  last 

heroic  service  which  we  purpose  to  demand • 

Permit  your  Councillor  to  convey  to  you  our  unani- 
mous opinion. 

Veiled-Light  [Bending  the  knee"] 
Oh,  Majesty,  200,000  soldiers  have  died  for  you. 
The  few  hundred,  also,  who  remain  here  within  our 
walls,  are  about  to  sacrifice  their  lives  at  once.  Do 
you  wish  them  to  die  for  a  lost  cause.  [He  mo- 
tions to  the  Chief  of  the  Soldiers  to  approach."] 
Deign  to  permit  their  chief  to  add  his  prayers  to 
ours. 

The  Captain  of  the  Soldiers,     [After  bending 
the  knee.] 

Proudly  and  without  regret  we  give  up  our  lives 

for  our  Sovereign May  she  too  do  what  we 

have  learned  to  expect  of  her  marvellous  courage. 


122    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

a  thousand  times  greater  than  that  of  her  humble  de- 
fenders. 

Veiled-Light 
Oh,  Majesty,  we  must  envy  these  men  who  are 
about  to  die  so  gloriously.     Our  duty  is  otherwise; 
it  is  longer,  it  is  more  terrible. 

Empress 
Our  duty  longer  and  more  terrible? — —  Then 
what  do  you  expect  of  me?  Speak,  what  would 
you  say.  Your  Empress  will  obey  you,  but  speak 
at  once,  I  do  not  understand.  [She  takes  again  the 
golden  cup.^ 

Faithful  Prince 
What  we  must  do,  my  beloved  Sovereign,  is  to 
flee  and  live. 

Empress     {Violently'] 
Ah,  no!     All  that  you  have  demanded  of  me  I 
have  done,  but  I  refuse  to  take  flight  like  a  coward. 

Veiled-Light 
To  flee,  alas !  yes.     But  to  escape  from  the  enemy, 

to  deprive  them  of  the  prize  of  war and  thus 

their  success  will  be  but  failure.  Soon  the  blood 
of  our  heroes  will  inspire  other  heroes.  A  new 
army  will  rally  to  the  cause  of  the  Daughter  of 
Heaven,  and  the  war  will  begin  again. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         123 

Empress 

And  more  blood  will  be  spilt and  the  ravaged 

country  will  people  the  realm  of  the  shades 

No,  no,  enough  of  death's I  fear  to  have  my 

reign  handed  down  as  that  of  a  fatal  and  murderous 
Sovereign.  All  this  blood!  All  this  blood  spilled 
for  me!  It  seems  to  me  that  my  very  hands  are 
red  with  it! 

Faithful  Prince 
The  blood  of  your  subjects  is  inexhaustible,  and 
their  devotion  is  limitless. 

Empress     [Suddenly  becoming  very  calm  and  as 
though  besecchingi 
But  my  courage  is  exhausted.     [Pointing  to  the 
Soldiers,  who  are  piling  wood  upon  the  Hre.l     I 
want  to  die  with  them. 

Faithful  Prince 
Live,   that   their  death  may  not  have   been   in 
vain.     Live   to   bring   back   our   young   Emperor, 
whom  the  Army  of  the  South  is  protecting  for  us. 
Live  for  us  all  and  for  him. 

Empress 
My  son !     Oh,  speak  not  that  name.     Do  not,  to 
influence  me,  do  not  try  to  touch  upon  that  string, 
that  alone  I  forbid  you  touch.     At  the  very  moment 


124    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

when  you  tore  him  from  me,  I  had  an  intuition  that 
I  should  never  see  him  again,  never  again  gaze  upon 

his  dear  little  face,  his  beautiful  eyes I  have 

courage  to  listen  to  all  except  when  you  speak  to 

me  of  him, for  then,  do  you  not  see,  I  become 

again  a  mother,  nothing  but  a  mother,  like  other 
women,    and    I    have    no    longer,    no    longer    the 

strength. [She  turns  her  head  and  begins  to 

sob.'\  Oh,  not  to  belong  to  one's  self,  not  even  to  be 
allowed  to  lay  down  on  the  roadside  the  burden  of 

one's  life ! To  be  the  impersonal  idol  of  a 

whole  people,  to  be  dealt  with  in  accordance  with 
their  will !  To  be  a  wretched  fetish,  whom  all  watch 
as  carefully  as  the  tablets  of  their  ancestors  on  the 
family  altar ! 

Faithful  Prince 

You  are  the  shining  standard,  the  ever-radiant 
goddess,  toward  whom  we  turn  in  our  supreme  dis- 
tress   and  you  will  do  what  millions  of  your 

subjects  demand  of  you,  through  the  mouths  of 
these  few  brave  men  who  are  about  to  die. 

The  Watchman]  from  the  height  of  the  tur- 
ret,2  He  hurls  himself  against  their  vanguard, 
the  man  who  was  here  just  now,  the  Messenger  of 

peace with  the  three  others  who  accompanied 

him.  He  hurls  himself  against  their  vanguard  as 
though  to  make  them  halt.     Yes,  he  wishes  them  to 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         125 

stop,  that  is  it.     And  he  seems  to  command  like  a 
master,  and  to  inspire  them  with  fear. 

Empress  [To  the  Watchman] 
So!  Let  not  that  man's  name  be  mentioned 
again  to  me.  And  you,  poor  Watchman,  whose 
task  is  finished,  you  may  come  down  and  join  your 
brothers  in  arms,  to  die  with  them.  Of  what  con- 
cern to  us  now  are  the  movements  of  the  Tartars? 
We  are  no  longer  of  this  world.  \_To  Faithful 
Prince]     But  how,  then,  is  what  you  asked  of  me 

possible? '     Surrounded  on  all  sides,  how  and 

whither  can  we  flee.  Where  can  we  hide  ?  Where  ? 
[The  Soldiers,  having  loosened  the  rock,  are 
standing  in  front  of  the  bronze  door,  still  holding 
their  crowbars  and  pickaxes.  They  have  an  air  of 
expectancy.^ 

Faithful  Prince 

There  in  the  tomb.     On  the  cement  lying  all  ready 

now  to  seal  the  rocks  we  shall  throw  dust as 

soon  you  shall  have  entered. 

The  Empress  [^After  a  silence,  speaking  slowly, 
submissive  and  very  melancholy^  In  my  grave 
entombed  alive!     Be  it  so!     And  after  that? 

Faithful  Prince 
There  is  a  subterranean  passage,  which  passes 
through  the  vaults  where  your  father  and  your  hus- 


126    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

band  sleep.  You  know,  as  I  do,  that  its  end  opens 
out  upon  brushwood  in  the  country,  at  the  foot  of 
the  Hill  of  Tortures. 

Empress 
{^Quickly  and  hreathlessly~\     If  it  is  not  already 
obstructed  by  the  soil,  yes !     And  all  about  the  Hill 
of  Tortures  the  Tartars  are  encamped. 

Faithful  Prince 
We  will  wait  until  they  are  no  longer  there. 

Empress 
And  shall  we  have  sufficient  air  in  this  vault, 
where  sleep  our  dead? 

Faithful  Prince 

Yes,  I  believe  so but  let  us  take  this  potion 

with  us  which  you  wished  to  drink  a  while  ago. 

Empress     \_Very  excitedly'] 
And  if  the  Tartars  take  us  there,  if  they  track  us 
like  beasts  of  the  night,  hunted  into  their  burrows? 
Remember  how  they  violated  the  tomb  of  my  ances- 
tor. 

Faithful  Prince 
It  was  not  secret,  like  yours. 

Empress     [Still  in  great  excitement'] 
And,  clothes  wherewith  to  escape  through  the 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         127 

country  where  the  enemy  roams  at  large?     [Fom/- 
ing  to  her  uniform.^     Not  these,  for  sure? 

Faithful  Prince 

Some  taken  from  the  enemy  will  serve  admirably 
The  ground  must  be  covered  with  them. 


Empress 

Rags  torn  from  some  festering  corpse,  is  it  thus 

you  would  clothe  your  Empress ! ' So  be  it, 

even  to  that  I  consent But  how  can  we  live 

in  the  depths  of  that  tomb?  Since  we  are  not  yet 
of  the  Shades,  we  must  eat,  you  know  that.  I  di- 
vided my  last  grains  of  rice  this  morning  with  you 
and  my  soldiers ! What  then? 

Faithful  Prince     [Pointing  to  the  tomb.li 

The  consecrated  cakes  there  on  the  table  of  the 
dead. 

Empress 
Horror  and  sacrilege ! 

Veiled-Light 

There  is  no  sacrilege,  when  the  safety  of  the 
Bright  Dynasty  is  at  stake.  The  August  Shades 
will  come  in  person  to  invite  us  to  eat.  Our  sacri- 
fice will  make  them  indulgent  and  favourable. 


128         THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 
Empress     {^Slowly} 

And  so  I  must  be  the  one  to  live  in  the  chill  gloom 
with  no  certainty  of  ever  coming  forth.  I  must  be 
the  one  to  creep  about  like  a  ghost  in  the  vaults  peo- 
pled by  phantoms,  groping  my  hands  over  the  pious 

offerings  shrivelling  on  the  altars  of  the  dead 

Aye,  it  is  indeed  more  terrible  than  dying  here. 
But  I  accept  it.     Lead  me  on,  I  am  resigned. 

.    The  Watchman     [From  the  top  of  the  wait] 

r  The  Tartars  have  stopped  their  march,  a  small 
group  is  running  toward  us,  unarmed,  but  carry- 
ing signs  on  long  poles.  In  spite  of  the  darkness, 
it  looks  like  a  message  which  grants  pardon. 

Empress 

Ha,  a  forced  pardon that  would  be  more 

insulting  still.  Bury  me  in  my  tomb,  Prince,  before 
they  come. 

Faithful  Prince    [Pointing  to  Veiled-Light] 

Your  Councillor  and  I  will  follow  you  into  the 
tomb,  and  perhaps  two  of  these  young  girls  if  they 
feel  brave  enough  for  the  ordeal. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         129 

SCENE  vn. 

The  same,  the  Ladies-in- Waiting. 

Empress 
So  here  are  my  household,  my  court  of  death,  and 
doubtless  my  last  retinue  of  mourners;  just  four 
persons!  [To  the  Ladies-in-Waiting]  Which 
two  of  you,  my  maidens,  will  have  the  courage  to 
follow  me  down  those  gloomy  paths  below? 

Ladies-in-Waiting     [Bowing'] 
All  of  us,  we  are  all  ready.     Your  Majesty  has 
but  to  deign  to  name  two  of  us. 

Empress     [After  a  pause] 

Tranquil  Beauty,  Cinnamon! 

[Tranquil  Beauty  and  Cinnamon  approach 
the  Empress.] 

All  of  you  are  dear  to  me,  but  I  have  called  those 
who  in  adversity  have  shown  the  bravest  hearts. 
[To  the  others.]  And  you,  my  sweet  flowers,  so 
untimely  faded,  may  the  Water  of  the  Great  De- 
liverance convey  you  easily  beyond  this  world 
through  the  peace  of  sleep. 

Pearl 
We  have  given  it  all  to  the  wounded. 


130    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Another  Lady 
Our  flasks  are  empty. 

Pearl 

The  flames  terrify  us but  we  know  how  to 

die,  noble  Sovereign. 

Another  Lady 
The  Lake  in  the  garden  is  deep,  around  the  Isle  of 
Jade. 

Pearl 
As  soon  as  we  have  conducted  your  Majesty  to 
the  threshold  of  the  tomb  we  shall  repair  to  the  lake- 
side. 

Another  Lady 
Deep  in  the  mud,  where  we  shall  sleep  tranquilly, 
The  Lotus  will  entwine  us  in  her  roots  and  we  shall 
live  again  in  her  flowers. 

Empress 
[To  Golden  Lotus,  who  is  seated  to  the  left, 
holding  in   her   lap   the   dying   Arrow-Bearer's 
head.']     And  you,  Golden  Lotus? 

Golden  Lotus 
Oh,  Majesty,  receive  from  here  my  last  greeting 
To  leave  him,  to  set  down  his  head,  forgive 


me  if  I  have  not  the  courage 

[The  trumpets  and  gongs  of  the  Tartars  are 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         131 

heard  without,  with  a  shouting  which  grows  nearer 
and  nearer. 2 

Empress  [To  Arrow-Bearer  and  Golden 
Lotus] 
Alas,  poor  lovers  without  a  to-morrow,  here  is 
the  marriage  gift  from  your  Empress.  [^She  pours 
out  some  poison  into  her  golden  cup  and  gives  it  to 
them,']  Farewell,  may  you  be  united  in  the  clouds. 
[To  Faithful  Prince]  Let  us  go,  Prince,  show 
me  the  way.    I  am  ready. 

The  Chief  of  the  Soldiers  [advancing  to  Faith- 
ful Prince.] 
Prince,  speak  for  us. 

Faithful  Prince 
Your  Majesty,  your  soldiers  ask  one  more  fa- 
vour of  you. 

Empress 
Is  it  then  in  my  power  still  to  do  aught  for  them? 
All,  all  that  they  ask  I  will  give. 

Faithful  Prince 
You  desired  to  know  why  they  were  piling  so 
much  wood  on  the  fire.  It  was  for  themselves. 
They  want  to  die  before  the  entrance  of  the  Tartars, 
and  this  is  the  last  request  that  they  make,  that  you 
will  set  the  torch  to  their  funeral  pile. 


132    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

[The  Chief  of  the  Soldiers  kneels,  and  hands  a 
lighted  torch  to  the  Empress.] 

Empress  [Taking  the  torch  and  addressing  the 
Soldiers.]  My  well  beloved  soldiers,  be  assured 
that  your  Empress  will  soon  follow  you  into  the 
land  of  the  Shades.  She  accepts  your  request  that 
she  should  flee,  only  that  she  may  try  to  avenge  you. 
But  if  happier  days  smile  upon  the  Bright  Dynasty 
she  will  refuse  to  live  them.  Before  you  all,  she 
takes  this  solemn  vow;  When  once  her  relentless 
task  is  at  an  end,  she  will  hasten  to  join  you  in  the 

land  of  the  Shades Oh,  victims  that  are  more 

than  men,  oh,  conquered  ones  that  wear  the  halo  of 

glory !     Oh,  my  heroic  army ! A  day  shall 

come  when  the  story  of  your  sublime  death  shall  be 
engraved  in  letters  of  gold  on  the  Imperial  Jade, 
that  posterity  may  weep  for  you.  [She  sets  the 
torch  to  the  pile'\  and  that  the  brightness  of  your 
funeral  pile  may  dazzle  the  world  for  ever ! 

[The  pile  takes  Hre.  The  Soldiers  throw  them- 
selves into  the  Hame  as  they  sing.^ 

The  Soldiers 

Long  live  our  King!  Long  and  happy  life  to  our 
King! 

[A  cloud  of  black  smoke  envelopes  them. 
The  sound  of  an  approaching  gong  is  heard  at  reg- 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  133 

nlar  intervals,  and  then  the  voice  of  a  Tartar  Her- 
ald.] 

The  Tartar  Herald  [^oiitside,  in  the  dis- 
tance.'] The  Command  of  the  Emperor!  Tremble 
and  obey! 

Faithful  Prince  [Hastily  to  the  Captain  of 
the  soldiers.]  Let  the  rock  be  replaced  as  I  told 
you.  Block  it  up  quick  and  throw  earth  upon  the 
cement,  and  a  pile  of  dust.  \_The  Captain  rejoins 
the  few  men  who  are  standing  before  the  tomb,  still 
holding  their  crowbars  and  pickaxes.  The  Em- 
press, Faithful  Prince,  Veiled-Light,  Tran- 
quil Beauty,  and  Cinnamon  go  towards  the 
bronze  door.  The  other  Ladies-in-Waiting  fol- 
low, and  kneel  as  they  approach  the  door.] 

Empress  [At  the  threshold  of  the  tomb,  ad- 
dressing the  four  who  are  to  enter  with  her.]  Go 
in  before  me.     I  will  be  the  last  to  pass  through. 

My  funeral  is  this ! And  then  I  wish  to  gaze 

for  the  last  time  upon  my  heroes  and  my  beautiful 
palace  yonder,  still  standing  out  in  relief.  [To  the 
kneeling  Ladies]  Arise,  my  cherished  maidens. 
Do  not  delay.  The  lake  to  which  you  go  is  not 
near  by, 

[The  Ladies-in-Waiting  go  out,  hand-in-hand, 
and  as  they  disappear  their  sobs  are  heard.  The 
Empress  sets  foot  on  the  threshold  of  the  door  and 
then  turns  round  like  one  inspired,  watching  the 


134    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

flames  of  the  pyre,  which  rises  higher  and  higher. 
She  raises  her  arms  as  though  in  an  ecstasy. '\ 

Empress 
See  the  glorious  red  flame!  See  the  beautiful 
eddying  smoke.  It  is  bright  within  my  palace  for 
the  last  time.  And  I  see  them  too,  those  noble 
souls,  mounting  ever  higher  and  higher  in  the  dark 
whirling  spirals  of  smoke! 

Soldiers     {^Singing  in  the  Hamesl 
Ten  thousand  years !     Ten  thousand  years. 

Empress     [To  the  Soisdiers] 

Go,  my  brave  men ! Soar  up  on  high,  fly 

to  the  heaven  of  your  ancestors,  ascend  to  the  god 
of  the  clouds. 

Soldiers     [More  feebly"] 
Ten  thousand  years,  ten  thousand  years! 
[The  Tartar's  gong  is  heard  ever  closer  and 
closer.] 

Empress  [To  the  Soldiers] 
I  too  am  doomed  like  you,  be  sure  of  that!  Only 
a  little  later  my  soul  will  take  flight.  But  already 
I  am  dead,  dead  to  all  save  vengeance,  save  the  fury 
of  battle,  save  merciless  hate.  And  now  I  must 
shut  my  door  of  bronze.  [To  the  Soldiers  who 
hold  the  crowbars.]  Cement  it  well,  my  friends, 
to  hide  your  Empress !     Replace  the  heavy  boulder. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         135 

Immure  this  living  corpse  in  her  tomb.  [She 
closes  the  bronze  door  after  her.  The  Captain  and 
the  few  men  who  remain  replace  the  rock,  hastily 
piling  cement  and  dust  upon  it.'\ 

The  Voice  of  the  Tartar  Herald  {now  at  the 
foot  of  the  wall^  The  command  of  the  Emperor! 
Tremble  and  obey!  To  all  without  condition,  par- 
don and  liberty!  Open  your  gates  and  have  no 
fear,  the  Emperor  grants  pardon  to  all. 

One  of  the  Soldiers  [who  is  cementing  the 
rock"}  The  insult  of  your  pardon  comes  too  late. 
Before  you  can  break  down  our  walls,  we  shall  all 
be  dead. 

Voice  of  Tartar  Herald 

Open  and  have  no  fear,  our  Emperor  grants  life 
to  all. 

Another  Soldier 

Nay,  there  shall  not  even  be  dead  to  receive  your 
pardon,  nought  but  ashes ! 

Captain  of  Soldiers  [as  he  finishes  cementing 
the  rock  against  the  door  of  the  Imperial  tombi 
Our  beautiful  Phoenix,  for  want  of  power  to  spread 
her  wings,  has  vanished  under  the  earth. 

The  voices  of  the  Soldiers     [becoming  feebler 


136    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

in  the  Hames  and  smoke'\     Ten  thousand  years  to 
the  Bright  Dynasty!     Ten  thousand  years! 

[The  flames  and  smoke  envelope  the  entire  scene. ^ 


CURTAIN 


ACT  FOUR. 


First  Tableau. 

^Before  the  curtain  rises  the  shouts  of  the  crowd 
are  heard,  mingled  with  sound  of  gongs  and 
bells.  The  execution-ground  under  the 
ramparts  of  Peking.  A  colossal  grey  wall 
with  battlements,  occupies  the  back  of  the 
stage,  and,  on  the  left,  disappears  from  view 
in  the  distance.  Chinese  prisoners  are  at- 
tached to  stakes  all  along  the  wall,  others  are 
in  the  cangue,  under  a  huge  red  signboard. 
Here  and  there  decapitated  heads  hang  drip- 
ping from  spikes.  There  are  blood-stains  all 
over  the  ground.  A  noisy  crowd  hurries  along 
the  front  of  the  scene.  The  men  wearing 
modern  Peking  costume,  long  queues,  blue  cot- 
ton robes  and  goat-skin  tunics.  The  Tartar 
women,  of  lower-class,  wear  a  horn-like  coif- 
fure with  large  artificial  -flowers  in  it.  In  the 
foreground,  to  the  left,  is  the  large  tent  of  the 
Tartar  General;  of  greenish  leather,  with 
a  yellow  roofing,  surmounted  by  a  silver  bell- 
turret.  It  is  wide  open.  The  interior  is  car- 
peted with  the  skins  of  wild  beasts;  a  circular 
table  surrounds  the  central  pole;  carpets,  camp- 
stools,  a  little  table,  and  a  square  banner  bear- 
ing the  name  of  the  General.  Guards  and 
Soldiers,  ivith  naked  sabres.  Camels  are  ly- 
ing all  around,  among  bales  of  goods  and  arms. 
Carriages,  palanquins. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         139 

As  the  curtain  rises,  the  crowd  continues  to  shout 
wildly.  Vendors  of  hot  drinks  are  walking 
about  Tvith  copper  urns  on  their  backs;  barbers 
are  ringing  their  bells;  blind  conjurers  are 
playing  the  flute,  sweetmeat-pedlars  are  strik- 
ing gongs.  The  executioners  in  the  immediate 
foreground  are  wiping  the  dripping  blades  of 
their  swords. '\ 

SCENE  I. 

The  Executioners,  the  Crowd. 

First  Executioner  \^As  he  wipes  his  sword, 
speaking  to  two  young  women  standing  near  him^ 
Our  arms  are  pretty  tired,  my  little  beauties. 

One  Woman 

Ah!  But  your  arms  look  very  strong,  Master 
Executioner. 

The  Executioner 

Strong,  well  I  don't  say  they  are  not.     But  all  the 

same 

A  Flower-Pedlar 

Imperial  peonies,  lotus  of  all  kinds,  every  flower 
of  the  season. 

A  Fruit  Pedlar 

Sweet  as  honey,  red  fruit  of  the  mountains. 

A   Tartar  Child     [Approaching   the  Execu- 


140    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

TiONER.]     Mr.  Executioner,  do  you  have  to  strike 
very  hard  to  cut  off  their  heads  ? 

\^Some  men  carrying  a  bucket  full  of  water  sus- 
pended on  their  shoulders,  begin  to  swill  the  ground 
with  a  large  wooden  ladle.]; 

Executioner 

It  requires  skill,  my  little  lamb to  find  just 

the  right  place skill  and  force  too,  of  course 

Ah !  I  can  tell  you,  our  business  is  not  learnt 

in  a  day 

A  Sweetmeat-Pedlar 
{^Ringing  a  small  belli     They  have  the  flavour 
of  sugar-cane,  the  sweets  that  I  have  for  sale. 

Fruit-Vendor 
Ay,  ay!     White  as  tallow,  white  as  jade,  my  fresh 
melons. 

Two  Beggars     [Playing  guitars] 
Come  listen  to  the  legend  of  the  King  of  the 
Dragons. 

IT  hey  sing  in  a  very  shrill  voice.] 
Near  the  Bamboo  Lake, 
,     Three  owls,  three  owls. 

Second  Executioner 
[To  some  other  women  as  he  points  to  the  pris- 
oners tied  to  stakes.]     What,  the   second  group 
there;*     Their   turn    will    come    very   soon.     The 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         141 

Chief  Executioner  has  given  us  a  few  minutes'  rest, 
and  we've  earned  it  well,  haven't  we?  [He  hails  a 
pedlar  of  drinks  and  orders  one  for  himself.'] 

Haberdasher     [Striking  a  small  bell] 
All  the  latest   styles  in  my  stock !  — —    Look, 
young  women,  look,  young  girls! 

One  Tartar  Woman     [To  Another] 
Oh,  I'm  not  one  of  those  who  take  pleasure  in  see- 
ing heads  cut  off and,  besides,  the  sight  is  al- 
ways the  same.     No,  it  is  their  goddess  whom  I 
wish  to  see. 

Second  Tartar  Woman 

Their   goddess? their    Empress? Ah, 

and  so  do  I.  All  of  us  want  to  see  their  goddess. 
She  is  the  one  who  interests  us  the  most. 

Third  Tartar  Woman 
And  do  you  suppose  they  will  show  her  to  you  ? 

Second  Woman 
Why  not?     They  are  showing  us  all  their  gen- 
erals and  princes,  and  all  the  rest  of  them 


Prisoners  are  made  to  be  seen,  that  is  why  they 
were  brought  here  to  Peking. 

Third  Woman 

Oh,  yes,  but  she it  seems  that  while  she  was 

being  brought  here,  she  was  treated  with  every  con- 


142    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

sideration  that  could  be  shown  to  a  queen.  And 
the  Emperor  has  had  her  placed  in  the  Forbidden 
City,  you  know ;  in  his  very  Palace  indeed. 

Second  Woman 
It  is  said  that  her  eyes  are  so  wonderful  that  or- 
dinary people  like  us  cannot  meet  their  gaze. 

Jasmine-Flower 
Yes,  and  I  should  be  afraid  to  look  at  her!    A 
woman  who  has  been   dead  —  for   she  was  dead 
for  at  least  two  moons,  you  know ! 

Second  Woman 
Jasmine  Flower  believes  everything  that  is  told 
her. 

Jasmine 

Why,  every  one  knows  that  she  was  dead 

For  two  moons,  I  tell  you!  She  spent  two  moons 
in  her  grave. 

Fruit-Vendor 

Ay,  ay,  white  as  tallow,  white  as  jade,  new 
melon ! 

First  Woman 

It  is  well  known  that  bullets  and  grapeshot  passed 
through  her  as  through  a  ghost.  [Seeing  a  Cap- 
tain of  the  Soldiers,  who  is  standing  near.} 
There,  ask  Lee-Phuang,  who  was  there  when  she 
was  taken.     Isn't  it  true,  Lee-Phuang? 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         143 

Lee-Phuang 

Oh,  yes,  I  was  a  witness  myself.  The  bullets 
could  not  touch  this  goddess  of  theirs ! 

Two  subordinate  Officers  [leading  to  the  exe- 
cution-ground a  new  group  of  Chinese  prisoners, 
with  hands  tied  behind  them,  among  whom  bring- 
ing up  the  rear,  is  the  Faithful  Prince,  his  gar- 
ments all  stained  and  torn.'] 

Make  room,  make  room! 

[The  prisoners  pass  along  to  join  the  others  who 
are  awaiting  their  turn  to  be  beheaded  at  the  foot  of 
the  wall.~\ 

Lee-Phuang.  [To  the  Women  who  questioned 
him]  You  see  the  last  one  in  the  line,  look  at  him, 
the  one  who  walks  with  so  haughty  an  air  ?  He  is 
the  greatest  chief  of  the  Nanking  rebels.  His 
name  is  the  Faithful  Prince,  he  was  the  right  hand 
of  the  Goddess  in  battle,  he  was  always  at  her  side. 

Haberdasher     [Striking  his  bell] 
All  the  latest  styles  in  my  stock!     Look  young 
women,  have  a  look,  young  girls ! 


SCENE  n. 

Faithful  Prince.     The  Tartar  General 
The  Tartar  General     [coming  out  of  his  tent  and 


144    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

saluting  Faithful  Prince,  who  brings  up  the  rear 
of  the  last  group  of  condemned  men.'] 

Enter  here,  noble  captive.  Look  not  over  yon- 
der. Each  man  should  die  but  once,  and  you  would 
die  each  time  you  saw  a  head  fall.  Is  it  not  punish- 
ment enough  for  you  to  be  the  last  of  all  the  vic- 
tims? 

Faithful  Prince 

Perhaps  my  presence  may  strengthen  my  poor 
soldiers,  so  simple  in  their  heroism. 

Tartar  General 
No,  no,  your  suffering  only  adds  to  their  pain 
Grant  a  loyal  enemy  the  great  honour  of 


passing  the  last  minutes  of  your  glorious  life  in  his 
tent.  You  are  now  above  wordly  trivialities  and 
implacable  hates. 

Faithful  Prince 
The  sword  is  not  responsible,  not  even  the  exe- 
cutioner. 

Tartar  General 
Nor  yet  even  the  General ! 
{The  new  prisoners  are  tied  to  the  stake."] 

Faithful  Prince 
I  bear  no  malice. 
\_He  enters  the  tent  with  the  Tartar  General.] 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         145 
Tartar  General 

And  I  make  no  boast.  I  know  that  the  sages  dis- 
approve of  war  and  hold  that  the  work  of  the  con- 
queror amounts  to  no  more  than  the  dust  of  ten 
thousand  skeletons 

Faithful  Prince 

And  that  those  who  triumph  deserve  no  more 
than  the  honour  of  a  funeral. 

Tartar  General 

Yes,  the  glory  of  arms  is  indeed  but  the  smoke  of 
a  fire!  [They  seat  themselves  on  camp-stools,  and 
rice  wine  is  served  to  them.  Throughout  the  fol- 
lowing dialogue  executions  are  in  progress  in  the 
foreground,  amid  the  shouts  of  the  crowd.  Every 
minute  the  sword  of  an  executioner  describes  a 
circle  in  the  air,  and  as  each  head  falls,  it  is  hung 
up  on  the  great  wall  of  Peking.  Deafening  shrieks 
and  cries  accompany  the  conversation  of  the  two 
men  in  the  tent.'\ 

Tartar  General 

Before  passing  from  this  world,  have  you  not 
some  mission  for  your  dear  ones  which  you  might 
desire  carried  out?  I  would  undertake  it  respect- 
fully. 


146    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Faithful  Prince 
Beyond  a  doubt  all  who  were  dear  to  me  have 
perished.     I  thank  you  for  your  considerate  offer. 

Tartar  General 
Have  you  no  last  desire  ? 

Faithful  Prince 
One  only.     To  know  the  fate  of  our  Empress. 
She  was  fighting  too  in  that  dreadful  battle  where 
I  was  taken  prisoner.     Is  she  alive  or  dead,  free  or 
captive  ? 

Tartar  General 
She  is  living,  a  captive  only  a  fortnight  since,  and 
yesterday  was  brought  to  Peking,  not  far  from  here 
in  the  Forbidden  City. 

Faithful  Prince 
She  is  not  far  from  here,  my  Sovereign!     Ah, 
if  only  the  gods,  wearied  with  afflicting  us,  would 
permit To  know  that  she  is  so  near ! 

Tartar  General 

At  the  end  of  that  battle  which  was  so  great  an 
honour  to  the  defeated,  she  succeeded  in  escaping 
with  a  thousand  soldiers.  But  her  retreat  was  cut 
off,  and  the  Warrior  Empress  would  have  been 
captured  long  before  had  not  contradictory  orders, 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         147 

hindering  our  movements,  enabled  her  to  delay  her 
capture  from  day  to  day.  You  would  have  thought 
someone  in  great  authority  was  watching  over  her 
with  wonderful  solicitude,  warning  her  of  dangers 
or  endeavouring  to  turn  them  aside  from  her. 

Faithful  Prince 

May  he  live  long  happy  days,  and  may  his  fame 
be  imperishable! 

Tartar  General 

Oh,  when  will  this  dreadful  war  cease,  which  is 
renewed  and  has  already  soaked  the  soil  of  our  coun- 
try in  the  blood  of  her  sons? 

Faithful  Prince 

I   fear  it  will  never  end  until  one  of  the  two 

races  has  been  exterminated Yet  perhaps  the 

hatred  would  be  less  intense  if  the  conquerors  after 
their  victory  would  treat  the  defeated  with  more 
clemency.  Let  there  not  be  so  many  executions, 
so  much  bloodshed.  Each  soldier  who  can  no 
longer  defend  his  life  should  be  sacred. 

Tartar  General 

Pardon  was  offered  to  your  soldiers  if  they  would 
yield.     All  refused. 


148    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Faithful  Prince 
Their  heroism  should  be  only  an  additional  rea- 
son for  sparing  them. 

Tartar  General 
What  can  be  done?     Our  duty  is  to  obey. 

Faithful  Prince 
Not  to  the  extent  of  a  crime.     A  little  stone  can 
ofttimes  retard  the  course  of  a  heavy  chariot.     We, 
the  chieftains,   by  sacrificing  only  our  own  lives 
could  thereby  save  the  crowds. 

Tartar  General 
How  could  that  be? 

Faithful  Prince 
By  opposing  unrighteousness.  Do  you  remem- 
ber? There  was  once  another  war  similar  in  every 
way  to  this.  The  city  was  sacked,  the  command 
was  given  to  the  executioners  to  cut  off  all  heads 
as  now.  But  a  young  officer,  maddened  by  grief 
at  the  thought  of  such  carnage,  found  words  where- 
with to  beseech  the  general  to  be  merciful,  or  at 
least  to  restrict  the  number  of  executions,  with  the 
result  that  he  consented  to  limit  the  massacre  to  the 
length  of  time  which  is  required  to  burn  a  stick  of 
incense.  The  incense  was  lighted  and  the  first  head 
was  about  to  fall,  when  the  young  officer  trembling 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         149 

with  horror  seized  the  stick,  reduced  it  to  powder 
and  ran  to  the  executioner,  crying  aloud  "  It  is  fin- 
ished, it  is  finished.  Pardon  has  been  declared." 
Then,  since  he  had  disobeyed,  he  immediately 
dashed  his  head  against  a  rock.  The  people  erected 
a  temple  in  memory  of  this  hero,  which  is  still  to  be 
seen  on  a  high  hill  and  whose  steps  have  for  many 
centuries  been  constantly  covered  with  fresh  flowers. 

Tartar  General     \_Pensively^ 
In  memory  of  this  hero  the  people  erected  a 
temple ! 


SCENE  HI. 

The  same,  the  Crowd,  then  an  Officer. 
[For  the  last  few  minutes  the  Crowd  has  been 
protesting  more  violently  against  the  slaughter. 
As  a  new  group  of  prisoners  is  brought  to  the 
place,  the  protest  becomes  more  insistent.'^ 

The  Crowd 
Enough!  enough! 

A  Voice 

The  Ministers  of  the  Empire  are  a  set  of  butchers ! 

A  Man  [^Raising  himself  on  the  shoulders  of 
his  neighbours!^  Enough,  enough!  Death  to  the 
tigers ! 


I50    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Faithful  Prince  [In  the  tent,  seeing  the  Tar- 
tar General  rise."]     No  doubt  my  time  has  come. 

Tartar  General 

No!  No!  Remain  where  you  are,  we  shall  be 
told. 

Another  Man 

Yes,  death  to  the  tigers! 

\_He  leans  over  and  dips  the  end  of  his  girdle  into 
the  blood']  J  am  going  to  write  it  on  this  wall. 
Death  to  the  tigers! 

{^He  gets  up  on  a  stone,  and  begins  to  trace  some 
characters  with  the  end  of  his  girdle.  The  Gen- 
eral comes  out  of  the  tent.] 

An  Officer 
Some  men  here  at  once ! Disperse  this  in- 
solent crowd ! Arrest  the  man  who  is  writing. 

Tartar  General     [Advancing  quickly] 
Who  dares  to  give  orders  without  my  consent  ? 

The  Officer 
My  lord,  when  a  riot  is  beginning,  is  it  not  my 
duty? 

Tartar  General 
You  have  no  other  duty  than  to  obey.     [With 
a  gesture  he  dismisses  the  Soldiers,  who  have  ad- 
vanced to  seise  the  man.]     The  executioners  must 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         151 

be  tired.     Let  their  chief  give  them  leave  to  rest 
again. 

Officer 
For  how  many  minutes? 

Tartar  General 
As  long  as  my  sword  shall  remain  fixed  here. 
{^He  plunges  his  sword  into  the  ground. '\ 

Faithful  Prince 
[In  a  zvhisper  to  the  General.]     Take  care,  my 
generous  enemy.     Perhaps  it  may  be  thought  that 
you  are  afraid. 

Tartar  General 

Of  the  living,  no ! But  of  spectres,  yes,  it 

is  true;  I  am  afraid  of  spectres. 

[They  enter  the  tent  together.  The  crowd, 
whose  excitement  is  increasing,  moves  away  from 
the  execution-ground,  thereby  giving  a  full  view  of 
the  headless  bodies  zvhich  are  lying  on  the  ground, 
and  of  the  pools  of  blood.  The  street-sellers  re- 
commence their  cries  and  their  music. li 

Flower- Vendor 

Royal  peonies,  lotus  of  all  kinds,  every  flower  of 
the  season. 

Tartar  General  [In  his  tent,  to  Faithful 
Prince] 


IS2    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

You  see,  I  am  compromising  myself  like  the 
hero  of  your  legend,  and  yet  no  temple  will  be 
raised  in  my  honour. 

Faithful  Prince 
But  you  do  not  hope  to  save  those  of  my  men 
who  are  still  alive? 

General 
Who  knows,  as  long  as  their  heads  are  on  their 

shoulders? You   heard   the   noise   outside? 

The  angry  crowd  grew  greater  and  greater. 

A  short  riot  has  often  delivered  many  victims.     I 
may  be  compelled  to  yield.     Heaven  grant  it! 

Faithful  Prince 
Your  noble  generosity  encourages  me  to  ask  a 
favour  of  you. 

Tartar  General 
It  will  be  a  great  joy  to  me  to  grant  it. 

Faithful  Prince 
Before  taking  my  place  against  that  bloody  wall, 
I  would  greatly  desire  to  have  one  hour's  freedom, 
on  my  word  of  honour 

Tartar  General 
The  word  of  a  man  such  as  you  are  is  stronger 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         153 

than  a  chain  of  iron  on  his  feet,  or  a  canque  of 

cedar  wood  about  his  shoulders an  hour,  yes! 

Even  an  hour  and  a  half,  we  can  wait The 

use  which  you  wish  to  make  of  it  perhaps  I  can 
imagine.     You  dream  of  seeing  again  your  adored 

Empress There,  alas!     I  am  unable  to  aid 

you.     May  the  gods  come  to  your  assistance ! 

[^Offering  him  a  robe  embroidered  in  gold,  which 
is  hanging  from  the  tent-pole. '\  One  thing  alone  I 
can  do  for  you.  Consent  to  wear  one  of  my  robes. 
It  will  be  a  safeguard  for  you. 

Faithful  Prince 
How  could  I  dare  ? 

Tartar  General 

I  beseech  you This  garment  will  be  to  me 

the  more  precious  because  it  has  protected  you 
IHe  passes  the  robe  to  Faithful  Prince,  who 
no  longer  protests,  then  he  raises  a  curtain  at  the 
back  to  the  tent.Ji     Go  that  way.  Prince! 

[Faithful  Prince  goes  out.J 


SCENE  IV. 

The  General,  A  Courier  from  the  Emperor, 
An  Officer,  The  Prisoners^  The  Crowd. 


154    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

l^There  is  a  great  stir  in  the  crowd,  which  is 
shouting  wildly.  In  the  distance  trumpets  are 
heard.  The  Tartar  General,  coming  out  of  his 
tent,  speaks  to  an  Officer.] 

Tartar  General 
What  is  that?     The  ceremonial  salute.     What  is 
happening  now? 

The  Officer 
A  courier  from  the  Emperor.     [The  Soldiers 
stand  in  Hie  on  either  side  and  bend  the  knee.     The 
Courier  is  on  horseback,  and  is  carrying  over  his 
shoulder  a  small  packet,  wrapped  in  yellow  silk.~\ 

Courier  \^As  he  dismounts"] 
An  order  from  the  Emperor!  [Tzvo  Soldiers 
place  a  table  on  which  the  letter  is  deposited,  then 
the  incense-sticks  are  lighted.  The  Tartar  Gen- 
eral quickly  dons  his  ceremonial  robe,  salutes  the 
message  three  times,  and  at  last  takes  it.] 

Tartar  General  [To  the  Courier,  after  he 
has  examined  the  envelope]  Why  does  that  order 
arrive  so  late?  It  was  sent  at  daybreak  from  the 
Forbidden  City,  and  the  distance  is  not  long. 

Courier 
That  is  true,  my  lord.     But  ill-intentioned  men 
were  posted  at  several  places  along  my  route.     I 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         155 

had  to  take  a  roundabout  course,  and  my  horse 
knocked  over  many  people  before  surmounting  the 
obstacles. 

Tartar  General     [In  a  low  voice'\ 
May  Heaven  deliver  our  Emperor  from  the  evil 
ones  who  oppose  his  will! 

Courier     [also  speaking  low"] 

May  Heaven  hear  your  prayer,  for  the  well- 
being  of  the  people! 

Tartar  General  [Opens  the  letter.  In  an 
aside  after  having  read  if]     This  saves  many  lives, 

without  counting  my  own [To  the  Crowd.] 

Order  of  the  Emperor.  All  listen !  "  This  is  my 
express  will.  I  grant  unconditional  pardon  to  all 
the  captives  of  war,  chiefs  and  soldiers,  and  give 
them  their  entire  liberty.     Respect  this." 

[He  shows  the  Imperial  seal.'] 

The  Crowd 

Ten  thousand  years,  ten  thousand  years  to  our 
Emperor. 

[The  Soldiers  at  once  set  the  prisoners  free."] 

Tartar  General     [To  the  Crowd] 
Listen  again.     This  order  should  have  arrived  in 
time  to  save  all  the  condemned.     The  obstacles  set 


156    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

in  the  path  of  the  messenger  are  the  cause  of  a 
misfortune  which  cannot  be  repaired.  Our  master 
was  disobeyed  and  is  not  responsible. 

Crowd 

Curse  upon  the  unfaithful  ministers!  Death  to 
the  tigers ! 

[The  women  also  hasten  to  unchain  the  prisoners, 
who  draw  near  the  General.] 

One  Officer     [/m  a  whisper  to  another')^ 
What  seditious  cries  our  General  permits! 

Second  Officer 
Say  rather  he  encourages  them. 

Tartar  General     [To  the  Prisoners] 
My  friends,  listen  to  wise  advice.     Do  not  remain 
long  in  this  accursed  place.     All  around  the  mighty 
Dragon  who  has  freed  you,  wild  beasts  are  shriek- 
ing, exasperated  because  they  have  lost  their  prey 

Go  at  once,  do  not  lose  a  moment.     But  do 

not  escape  by  way  of  the  country,  you  would  be  too 
easily  found.  Disperse  and  wander  through  the 
great  city.  In  the  Chinese  Quarter  the  crowd  will 
not  betray  you. 

Prisoners 
We  will  follow  your  advice.     May  Heaven  be- 
stow its  choicest  blessings  upon  you ! 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         157 

[They  bow  and  disperse.  The  General  takes 
his  sword,  which  he  had  stuck  into  the  ground  and 
slowly  replaces  it  in  its  scabbard.^ 

The  Crowd 
Death  to  the  tigers !     Ten  thousand  years  to  our 
Emperor ! 

[^As  the  curtain  is  lowered  the  shouts  of  Pedlars 
are  heard."] 

The  Flower-Seller 
Royal  peonies,  Lotus  of  all  kinds,  every  flower  of 
the  season! 

Haberdasher 
All  the  latest  styles  in  my  stock!     Look,  young 
women;  have  a  look,  young  girls! 


Second  Tableau 

[The  great  throne-room  in  the  palace  at  Peking, 
entirely  decorated  in  red  and  gold.  The  throne  is 
in  the  middle  of  a  dais,  to  which  lead  three  stair- 
cases Hanked  by  Incense-burners  and  emblems.  Pil- 
lars of  red  laqiier  support  a  lofty  ceiling,  on  which 
are  enormous  writhing  dragons  among  red  clouds; 
the  largest  standing  out  so  clearly  that  it  looks  ready 
to  fall  from  heaven,  holds  in  its  jaws  a  golden  orb, 
just  above  the  throne.  The  floor  is  covered  by  a 
yellow  carpet,  with  dragons  more  than  fifty  feet  in 
length  woven  into  the  design.  On  one  side'  of  the 
stage  is  a  marble  chime,  suspended  by  golden  chains 
from  a  huge  frame  work,  whose  feet  are  of  gold 
and  represent  monsters  and  whose  upper  angles  are 
ornamented  with  golden  phoenixes  spreading  their 
tvings  toward  the  ceiling.  Near  the  principal  en- 
trance two  Eunuchs  are  holding  diist-dispellers  of 
rhinoceros-hide.  Preparations  are  being  made  for 
a  solemn  audience,  to  commemorate  the  triumph  of 
the  Tartar  Army.  Large  blocks  of  porcelain, 
representing  monsters,  are  arranged  in  line  on  the 
carpet.  They  mark  the  places  where  the  various 
bodies  of  dignitaries  are  to  stand  and  to  prostrate 
themselves.    Persons  in  gala  robes  come  and  go 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         159 

hurriedly.  They  are  speaking  in  whispers,  and 
walk  noiselessly,  in  respectful  attitudes.  They  bow 
as  they  pass  the  throne.'] 


SCENE  I. 

Palace,  Officials,  Dignitaries,  and  Masters 
of  the  Ceremonies. 

First  Master  of  Ceremonies 
[Placing  in  line  one  of  the  last  blocks  of  porce- 
lain]    There,  the  eighteenth  group  of  high  liter- 
ates will  stand  there,  facing  the  throne,  but  some- 
what obliquely. 

Second  Master  of  Ceremonies 
Everything  seems  to  me  in  perfect  order.     We 
shall  soon  be  ready. 

An  Official 
So  they  say,  indeed.     He  has  been  downcast  and 
melancholy  for  several  days,   it  seems  as  though 
each  fresh  victory  of  his  army  affected  him  like  a 
disaster. 

Third  Officer 
Yes,  no  one  would  have  supposed  that  he  would 
demand  so  elaborate  a  ceremony  to  celebrate  his 
triumph. 


i6o    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Fourth  Officer 
And  have  you  heard  the  news?    The  prisoner  is 
to  malce  her  appearance  here. 

Third  Officer 
Who? 

Fourth  Officer 
Who?     How  can  you  ask?     The  great,  the  only 
one.     She  of  whom  everyone  speaks  —  the  Ex-Em- 
press of  the  rebels. 

Fifth  Officer 
Ah,  the  goddess!     So  now  we  are  going  to  see 
her. 

Sixth  Officer 
And  we  can  judge  of  her  supernatural  power 
unless  she  has  lost  it. 

Fourth  Officer 
Oh,  power  she  still  has.     Yesterday  evening,  by 
order  of  the  Emperor,  two  eunuchs  were  decapi- 
tated simply  for  having  announced  to  her  the  death 
of  her  son  without  preliminary  forms. 

Third  Officer 
And  I  know  something,  too,  from  the  Governess 
of  the  Palace  — —    To-day  the  goddess  deigned  to 

speak,    to    request    mourning    garments So 

they  searched  the  wardrobes  of  the  late  Empress 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         i6i 

Regent  for  all  that  was  most  magnificent  in  the  way 
of  white  robes  and  shoes ! 


SCENE  n. 

The  same.    The  Grand  Chamberlain 

Grand  Chamberlain  [Entering  by  a  door  at 
back'] 

An  order  from  the  Emperor!  [All  listen  with 
bowed  heads.]  Let  the  members  of  the  Privy 
Council,  Ministers,  and  Dignitaries,  robed  in  their 
costumes  of  state,  meet  in  silence  in  the  galleries 
near  the  throne-room,  ready  to  enter  when  his  Maj- 
esty strikes  this  gong  three  times.  [He  points 
to  the  large  gong  at  the  foot  of  the  steps  of 
the  throne.]  Let  no  one  be  here,  and  guards  at  all 
the  doors! 

[All  bow  and  prepare  to  go  out.] 


SCENE  IIL 

The  Same,  A  Herald,  and  the  Grand  Master  of 
Ceremonies. 

The  Herald  [Appearing  at  the  door  and  hold- 
ing in  his  hand  a  large  lacquer  signboard  mounted  on 
a  golden  handle.]     Silence! 


i62    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

The  Grand  Master.  [Entering  with  Fount-in- 
the-Forest] 

Let  all  depart!  Close  the  doors.  Here  comes 
the  Emperor. 

\_All  skurry  out  except  the  Grand  Master  and 
FouNT-iN-THE-FoREST,  who  prostrate  themselves 
as  the  Emperor  appears."] 


SCENE  IV. 

The  Emperor,  Fount.,  the  Grand  Master  of 
Ceremonies, 

Emperor     [In  full  regalia,  his  expression  som- 
bre'] 
How  many  heads  did  you  say  had  already  fallen  ? 

Grand  Master 
Barely  fifty,  sire.     Your  General,  as  though  with 
a  presentiment  of  the  clemency  of  your  Majesty,  had 
proceeded  with  audacious  lack  of  energy. 

Emperor 
He  shall  be  rewarded  by  Heaven  and  by  me.  As 
for  the  grandees  of  my  court  who  dared  to  stop  my 
Courier,  have  them  found  at  once  and  dealt  with 
by  the  executioner  to-morrow.  Why  do  the  gods 
permit  that  in  my  lofty  position,  happiness  should 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         163 

be  almost  unrealisable,  when  murder  is  so  easy? 
Now  go!     [Indicating  Fount-in-the- Forest]     I 
wish  to  speak  with  my  councillor. 
[The  Grand  Master  goes  out.'i 


SCENE  V. 

Emperor,  Fount. 
Emperor  [To  Fount,  who  is  still  prostrate"] 
Arise,  friend,  we  are  alone.  You  have  already 
guessed  my  project,  have  you  not?  I  want  her  to 
come  here,  near  me.  [Pointing  to  the  throne.] 
Pale  and  in  the  white  of  her  deep  mourning  as  she 
is,  I  want  her  to  come  here,  to  sit  beside  me  on  my 

throne To-day,  I  am  going  to  present  her  to 

my  people  as  my  affianced  bride.  Let  the  Dignita- 
ries of  my  Court  prostrate  themselves  before  their 
Empress,  at  the  same  time  as  before  their  Emperor 

without    her    there    is    neither    Empire    nor 

triumph  for  me 

Fount 
She  has  consented? 

Emperor 
Alas,  I  do  not  know  if  she  will  agree.     I  have 
postponed  till  now  that  meeting  so  full  at  once  of 


i64    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

charm  and  terror.     It  is  to-day  and  here  that  we 

shall  see  each  other  again  for  the  first  time 

May  Heaven  help  me !  You  will  say  that  I  am  still 
a  child;  I  wished  to  invest  our  supreme  moment 
with  all  magnificence.  Ah,  if  only  there  were  not 
between  us  the  death  of  her  son,  I  should  tremble 
less. 

Fount 
But  you  did  all  in  your  power  to  save  him.  Since 
your  conscience  cannot  reproach  you,  sire,  it  is  bet- 
ter for  your  plans  that  the  child  should  be  resting 
in  peace  among  the  shades.  To  impose  him  upon 
your  Tartars  would  have  been  dangerous  indeed 

Whereas  now,  the  two  Dynasties  may  blend, 

another  son  be  born,  of  your  blood  and  hers. 

Emperor 
A  son  born  to  me  by  her !  Oh,  friend,  be  silent. 
The  dreams  that  are  too  beautiful,  one  must  not 
speak  of.  ^He  strikes  the  gong  lightly.']  But 
come,  the  dreaded  moment  of  seeing  her  again  has 
arrived.  Come!  [To  an  Official  who  enters  in 
response  to  the  gong.]  Let  the  prisoner  be  brought 
here,  with  all  the  respect  which  I  have  commanded. 
Go!  [Recalling  the  Official  as  he  is  leaving.] 
Wait  a  moment!  [To  Fount,  who  is  going  too.] 
No,  her  pride  would  be  offended  at  being  ushered 
into  my  presence.  Rather,  let  her  be  the  first  to 
arrive,  and  I  will  follow,  appearing  before  her  with 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         165 

the  air  of  one  vanquished,  begging  pardon.  [To 
the  waiting  Official.]  As  soon  as  I  leave,  bring 
the  Empress  here  and  leave  her  alone.  Now  you 
may  go! 

lExit  the  Official  at  the  back.'\ 
Fount  [as  he  goes  out  with  the  Empress] 

She  loves  you,  sire.  Have  confidence.  Who  is 
the  woman,  even  though  she  be  almost  a  goddess, 
who  would  not  yield? 

Emperor 
She !     Only  she ! 

Fount 
But,  as  she  loved  you  once 


Emperor 

And  to-day  must  she  not  hate  me?  How  much 
blood  has  been  spilt  by  traitors  despite  my  com- 
mand! How  has  my  decree  of  pardon  been  inter- 
cepted   or    changed    to    a    death    warrant  I 

The  hate,  the  implacable  hate  of  our  two  peoples 
ever  triumphs. 

Fount 

But  how  many  lives  you  have  saved ! And 

she  must  too  know  that. 

Emperor  [as  he  goes  out'] 
Oh,  that  hour  whose  memory  still  enchants  my 


i66    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

heart !  That  hour  there,  in  the  garden  of  her  pal- 
ace, in  the  midst  of  that  crowd  where  we  were  so 
alone,  when  she  gazed  upon  me,  when  our  souls 

were    united    in    one    supreme    rapture But 

now  at  the  thought  of  seeing  her  again,  I  tremble 
like  a  guilty  man. 

\_Exit  the  Emperor,  with  his  councillor,  through 
a  side  door.  Two  eunuchs  and  two  women  attend- 
ants conduct  the  Empress  to  the  foot  of  the  throne, 
and  after  having  prostrated  themselves  retire,  leav- 
ing her  alone.  She  is  in  white  robes  of  mourning, 
her  hands  are  tied  by  a  silken  cord. 2 


SCENE  VI 

The  Empress,  then  Faithful  Prince 

Empress  [Soliloquisingi 

Such  consideration  has  been  shown  me  that  I  am 
terrified,  more  terrified  than  at  torture  and  death. 

Why  am  I  in  his  palace,  instead  of  in  a  prison? 

What  can  he,  what  dares  he  hope?  What  does  he 
desire  of  me  ? 

Faithful  Prince 
[/m  the  dress  of  the  Tartar  General,  running 
into  the  room  and  prostrating  himself  at  the  feet  of 
the  Empress]     Oh!     Heaven  is  merciful  to  grant 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         167 

me  the  opportunity  once  again  before  my  death  to 
prostrate  myself  at  the  feet  of  my  adored  Empress. 

Empress  [Calm  but  bewildered^ 

You  ?   You  here  ? Dear  Prince Have 

we  then  departed  this  life?  Is  this  our  reunion  be- 
yond the  grave?  If  not,  whence  have  you  come, 
how,  by  what  witchcraft  have  you  passed  these 
dreadful  walls? 

Faithful  Prince  IStill  prostrated'} 
Boldness  does     not     count     the     cost,     when 

there   is   no   longer   anything  to   lose And, 

beyond  all   doubt,   the   gods   were   with  me 

Yes,  I  entered  as  if  by  witchcraft  as  you  say,  I 

passed  the  walls  and  the  guarded  gates One 

of   his   soldiers  acted   as  my  guide I   gave 

him  all  the  gold  I  had  left.  Forgive  me,  I  am 
weeping,  I  know  not  whether  for  joy  or  grief.  For 
joy  it  must  be  —  since  my  only  wish  was  for  this 
one  privilege  —  to  see  Your  Majesty  for  the  last 
time,  to  tell  her  on  my  knees   of  my  passionate 

adoration which  at  the  gates  of  death  cannot 

be  an  offence and  above  all  to  offer  her  the 

wondrous  gift,  which  will  deliver  her  from  the 
conqueror's  worst  outrages.  My  mission  as  faith- 
ful subject  is  now  concluded  by  this  last  service,  by 
the  glorious  present  which  I  have  brought  to  my 
Empress. 


i68         THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 
Empress 

Poison!     [With   a   triumphant  cry   of  deliver- 
ance.']    Ah! 

Faithful  Prince  [Oifering  her  a  dagger'] 
Poison,  alas !     I  was  unable  to  bring.     This  is  the 
best  I  can  offer. 

Empress 
Ah,  well,  that  will  answer  the  purpose.     Kill  me 
before  He  comes! 

Faithful  Prince  [Rising  and  drawing  hack  in 
horror] 
My  well  beloved  sovereign !  — —  Ask  not  that 
of  your  faithful  servant,  who  has  always  obeyed 
you.  Do  not  command  him  to  do  what  is  beyond 
his  strength. 

Empress 

You  will  not  ? Then  give  it  to  me !     I  will 

strike  myself.     I  will  make  the  attempt.     I  shall 
succeed. 

Faithful  Prince  [Noticing  that  her  hands  are 

tied] 

But  your  hands To  think  that  I  had  not 

seen! 

Empress 
Ah!     That  is  true. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         169 

Faithful  Prince 
May  I  untie  them  ?     Have  we  time  ? 

Empress 

No,  it  will  take  too  long.  Hide  the  weapon  in 
the  fold  of  my  gown. 

IThe  Prince  still  hesitates."] 

You  do  not  dare?  It  is  forbidden  to  touch  your 
Sovereign!  Nay,  but  you  may  do  so,  your 
Empress  now  is  as  one  already  dead. 

Faithful  Prince  [Hiding  weapon  in  her  gown] 
But  how  will  you  be  able  to  use  it? 

Empress 
He  will  have  them  unbound,  he  before  whom  I 
shall  soon  appear.  And  then  is  not  one  permitted 
to  change  one's  mind  so  near  to  death?  I  desired 
you  to  kill  me  before  he  came.  Now  I  prefer  to  see 
him  again,  the  Emperor. 

Faithful  Prince 
To  see  him  again?     You  know  then  who  he  is? 

Empress 
Yes.     Stay  with  me  until  he  comes. 

Faithful  Prince 
Oh,  no !    I  must  not  be  found  here. 


I70    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Empress 
What   matters    it   now,    at   the   point   we   have 
reached  ? 

Faithful  Prince 
Because  —  over  yonder  —  the  last  heads  are 
falling.  They  are  calling  for  those  that  remain. 
It  is  time  —  my  turn  is  coming.  They  gave  me  one 
hour's  liberty  on  my  word  of  honour.  I  do  not 
want  it  to  be  thought  that  I  have  fled. 

Empress 

Ah,  yes!  Then  go,  Prince.  Farewell!  I  shall 
soon  join  you  —  you  and  all  my  faithful  ones. 
Tell  those  who  are  about  to  die  that  I  shall  be  with 
them  soon 

[Faithful  Prince  hurries  out.'\ 


SCENE  vn 

The  Emperor.     The  Empress 

[The  Emperor  enters  and  approaches  her.     The 
Empress,  her  eyes  lowered,  stands  motionless.Ji 

Emperor 
Daughter  of  Heaven,  deign  to  raise  your  eyes  to 
gaze  upon  the  heart-broken  conqueror  who  bows 
before  you.     Deign  to  look  and  to  recognise  him. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         171 

Doubtless  you  will  remember  him.     But  can  you 
feel  anything  save  utter  hatred  for  him  ? 

Empress 

{^Far  away,  her  eyes  still  lowered."}  To  recog- 
nise him,  I  do  not  need  to  hear  his  voice  again  nor 
to  gaze  upon  his  face.  The  light  has  dawned  upon 
my  mind  during  the  hours  of  my  captivity.  Before 
I  was  brought  in  here,  I  knew  full  well  into  whose 
presence  I  was  coming. 

[A  silence,  during  which  the  Emperor  remains 
bowed  before  her.} 

Empress 
To  the  Daughter  of  the  Mings,  what  message  can 
the  Tartar  Emperor  have? 

Emperor  [^Seeing  her  hands  bound  with  the  silken 
cord'] 
Oh!  but  your  hands  are  tied!  I  ordered  that  to 
save  you  from  yourself.  But  now!  \_He  ap- 
proaches, yet  hesitates  to  touch  her  hands.  The 
Empress  draws  back,  gating  at  him  for  the  iirst 
time.]  Oh!  pardon — —  Before  you,  in  the  depth 
of  my  grief,  I  had  forgotten.  I  had  almost  dared 
to  touch  your  bruised  hands.  And  yet  you  are  more 
sacred  to  me  here  than  there  in  Nanking,  in  all 
your  splendour.  [He  strikes  the  gong  softly.  An 
Official  appears.] 


172         THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 
Emperor     [To  the  Official] 

Let  the  Governess  of  the  Palace  come  here  at 
once !  [  To  the  Governess,  as  she  enters  and  pros- 
trates herself. 1  Untie  the  hands  of  the  Empress, 
and  then  go. 

\The  Governess  obeys  and  goes  out.  A  pause. ^ 
Your  voice  is  no  longer  yours.  Your  eyes  are 
no  longer  yours.  You  stand  here  before  me,  yet 
your  soul  seems  to  be  at  an  infinite  distance.  I  did 
not  expect  to  find  you  so,  and  you  frighten  me. 
The  Majesty  of  death  is  upon  you. 

Empress 
They  are  calling  to  me  from  the  Land  of  the 
Shades.  Allow  me  to  cross  the  threshold  soon, 
from  you  I  can  accept  no  mercy.  My  faithful  ones, 
my  warriors,  are  wondering  at  my  delay  in  re- 
joining them,  and  my  son  is  listening  to  catch  the 
echo  of  my  footfall  behind  him  on  the  dark  path. 

Emperor 

Your    son ! Ah !     Your    son !     Who    has 

mourned  him  more  than  I,  excepting  only  you? 
Ten  of  my  couriers,  my  swiftest  horsemen,  were 
sent  at  once,  riding  their  horses  night  and  day,  spur- 
ring them  to  death,  leaving  their  corpses  by  the 
roadside,  in  a  frantic  effort  to  arrive  in  time  and 
avert  the  evil  which  could  not  be  repaired 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         173 

Empress 

What  was  achieved?  Where  is  the  body  of  my 
little  son? 

Emperor 

It  is  now  in  an  imperial  hearse,  making  its  slow 
way  to  the  north,  preceded  by  funeral  music,  fol- 
lowed by  a  thousand  dignitaries  in  costumes  of  state 
befitting  the  rank  of  a  young  sovereign. 

Empress 
And  where  are  they  taking  him,  my  son? 

Emperor 

To  those  inviolable  forests  where  the  Tartar  Em- 
perors repose.  There,  in  a  vale,  which  the  spade 
of  men  has  never  touched,  two  leagues  of  dark 
cedars  will  envelope  in  their  silence,  his  tomb  built 
all  of  porcelain. 

Empress 

Will  you  grant  me  the  favour  to  sleep  near  him  ? 

Emperor     [  Very  gently,  speaking  like  a  child'\ 

But in  accordance  with  the  custom  of  the 

Empresses,  you  will  yourself  choose  the  site  and 
scene  in  the  forest  and  will  have  the  long  marble 

avenues  built so  that  all  may  be  in  readiness 

when  your  hour  strikes. 


174         THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Empress 

My  hour  has  sounded  —  ah!  many  days  ago. 
I  heard  it,  but  my  hands  were  tied  and  your  guards 
were  ever  about  me.  Now  you  will  give  me  my  last 
freedom,  will  you  not?  so  that  I  may  join  all  the 
dead  heroes  who  are  awaiting  me.  To  keep  me 
back  would  be  unworthy  of  you,  my  noble  enemy. 
You  would  not  do  that ! 

Emperor     [After  a  pause'\ 
Keep  you  back,  you  ? O !  no,  not  I 


But  your  duty Daughter  of  the  Mings,  you 

are  incapable  of  failing  in  your  duty! 

Empress     [Excitedly  at  last'] 

My  duty!  What  duty?  Already  have  I  been 
decoyed  by  that  word.  They  urged  me  thereby  to 
flee  like  a  common  woman  beset  by  fear.  While 
all  my  brave  defenders  knew  how  to  die  heroically, 
my  soldiers,  my  princes,  even  my  ladies-in-wait- 
ing, I  like  a  coward  escaped  through  the  subter- 
ranean  passages    of   my   palace to    fulfil   my 

duty !  It  was  the  hour  when  my  soldiers  were  fall- 
ing by  the  thousand,  struck  down  by  yours,  when  my 
walls   were   crumbling  under  the  assault  of  your 

armies the  draught  of  the  Great  Deliverance 

had  been  brought  me  in  a  cup,  and  I  was  calm  as  I 
am  now  —  but  smiling,     I  was  about  to  raise  the 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         175 

cup  to  my  lips,  to  pass  beyond  the  reach  of  all, 
proud  and  inviolable,  in  my  imperial  attire.  The 
vaults  beneath  the  ground,  the  sleeping  place  of  my 
ancestors,  unknown  to  your  Tartars,  stood  open 
close  at  hand,  and  there  was  still  time  to  carry  me 

down  into  them But  duty!     Ah!  my  duty, 

it  appeared,  was  to  flee,  and  I  yielded And 

until  the  day  when  your  soldiers  took  me  captive, 
I  wandered  on  and  on  through  the  country,  at  the 

head  of  my  defeated  troops 1,  the  Empress, 

the  Invisible,   desecrating  my  majesty  among  all 

those  thousands  of  men marching  before  them 

like  some  mad  woman ! 

Emperor 
Say  rather  that  you  were  the  sublime  heroine,  the 
great    warrior-Empress,    the    goddess    of    battle, 
who  braved  arrows  and  bullets,  and  will  live  on 
eternally  in  poetry  and  history! 

Empress 
I  sought  to  justify  my  flight,  that  was  all.  I 
did  all  I  could,  but  none  can  ever  atone  for  a  cow- 
ardly action.  It  was  in  my  own  palace  that  I 
should  have  met  my  death,  in  the  funeral  fire  lighted 
by  my  own  hand,  in  which  so  many  heroes  were 

consumed My  ashes  should  have  mixed  with 

theirs.  Duty,  do  you  say?  But  do  you  believe 
that  I  still  belong  to  Earth  ?     My  cities  are  in  ruins, 


176    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

my  armies  annihilated,  my  son  dead.  And  at  this 
very  moment  I  know  that  one  by  one  the  heads  of 
my  few  remaining  soldiers  are  falling  into  the  dust 
beneath  your  high  Tartar  walls.  Then  what  duty 
remains,  I  ask  you?  [She  takes  the  dagger  from 
the  fold  of  her  robe  and  raises  her  hand  to  strike 
herself. 1  Nothing,  nothing  but  this!  [^The  Em- 
peror rushes  towards  her  with  a  cry,  seises  her 
wrist,  takes  the  dagger,  and  hurls  it  to  the  ground. "l 
Ah !     So  you  dare  to  touch  me  now  ? 

Emperor     [Bowing  very  low'\ 

Your  pardon !  Only  listen  to  me.  You  may  die 
afterwards  if  you  wish  it,  I  promise  you  —  but  in 

some  less  terrible  way without  this  bloodshed. 

I  will  even  furnish  you  the  means,  if  you  still  wish 
it 

Empress     [With  sudden  gentleness^ 
In  some  less  terrible  way!     Yes,  that  is  what  I 
desire.     The  Potion  of  the  Great  Deliverance,  we 
sovereigns  are  never  without  it.     You  have  it  too, 
have  you  not? 

Emperor 

Night  and  day  within  easy  reach,  especially  since 
you  began  to  risk  your  life  hourly,  in  the  thick  of 
the  battle.  I  feared  that  I  should  be  unable  to  cap- 
ture   alive    my   beautiful    Phoenix    of   War!     Be 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         177 

assured,   we   have  the  Deliverance.     It  is   in  this 
golden  case,  among  the  trinkets  at  my  girdle. 

Empress 
And  you  will  give  it  to  me? 

Emperor 
Yes. 

Empress 
You  swear  it? 

Emperor 
Yes.     After  you  have  listened  to  me,  I  shall  have 
this  supreme  courage.     To  refuse  you  would  be  un- 
worthy of   you   and   of   myself.     But,   after   you 
have  heard  me,  only  afterwards 

Empress 
Well,  speak,  sire.     In  return  for  your  promise, 
take  the  last  minutes  in  which  my  ears  can  hear, 
my  eyes  can  see 


SCENE  VIII. 

The  same.    An  Official 

Emperor  [^He  strikes  the  gong  gently,  an  Of- 
ficial appears.  To  the  Official]  Double  the 
number  of  guards  at  the  gates.     Instant  death  to 


178    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

any  one  who,  for  any  reason  whatever,  dares  to 
open  that  door  before  I  sound  the  gong  Three 
Times!     Is  that  understood?     You  may  go! 

l^The  Official  turns  to  00."] 

Wait!  [Pointing  to  the  incense-burners  on  the 
steps  of  the  throne.']  Incense!  Let  the  sticks  be 
h'ghted  at  once!  I  must  have  perfume  in  the  air. 
[The  Official  hastily  lights  the  bundles  of  sticks 
and  the  smoke  rises.]     It  is  well,  go ! 

[The  Official  makes  his  exit  backward,  almost 
prostrate.] 


SCENE  IX. 

The  Emperor  [To  the  Empress,  who  is  leaning 
against  the  balustrade  of  the  throne]  Alas!  I 
can  read  obstinate  resolution  in  your  eyes !  You 
have  determined  to  die,  I  know  it!  I  shall  speak 
without  hope.     Will  you  grant  me  one  last  favour  ? 

Empress 
No  doubt  I  shall.     But  what  may  it  be? 

Emperor     [Pointing  to  the  throne] 
Let  our  last  interview  take  place  there !     Once  in 
your  life,  though  it  be  on  a  day  which  shall  know  no 
to-morrow,  I  wish  to  see  you  seated  upon  the  throne 
of  the  Tartar  conquerors. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         179 
Empress     {Very  calmly  and  indifferently'] 

Is  it  only  that?  If  that  will  give  you  pleasure,  I 
consent.  {She  begins  to  ascend  the  steps.]  I 
mount  but  slowly:  I  am  crushed  and  fainting. 
The  poison  which  you  promised  lulls  one  to  sleep, 
does  it  not?  It  does  not  sharpen  and  distort  the 
features,  I  hope.  The  Phoenix,  even  in  the  agony 
of  death  would  wish  to  retain  some  charm. 

Emperor     {In  the  same  mood] 

It  is  even  better  than  you  hope.  It  comes  from 
the  Western  Barbarians.  Lustrous  pearls  under  a 
thin  leaf  of  gold.  One  passes  into  space  in  a  sudden 
sleep,  an  exquisite  intoxication 

Empress     [Still  far  away] 

Ah! in  a  sleep —     [They  have  reached  the 

top  of  the  steps.  She  half  reclines  across  the 
throne,  which  is  almost  as  large  as  a  divan.  The 
Emperor  remains  standing.]  Well,  now de- 
lay no  longer,  speak 

Emperor 

It  was  not  the  prompting  of  a  mere  whim  which 
urged  me  to  see  you  seated  there.  What  we  have 
to  say  is  so  solemn.     The  interview  of  an  Emperor 

and  an  Empress,  power  speaking  to  power! 

At  this  height,  raised  above  our  earthly  personali- 


i8o    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

ties,  we  shall  feel  more  conscious  of  our  superhu- 
man mission. 

Empress 
Power  speaking  to  power?     I  am  no  longer  any- 
thing but  a  captive,  who  counts  for  naught. 

Emperor 

You  are  sovereign  and  doubly  sovereign  now, 
mistress  of  the  destiny  of  China,  arbiter  of  all. 
[The  Empress  looks  at  him  as  though  deeply  hurt.l^ 
Mistress  of  the  destiny  of  China,  yes!  Be  not  of- 
fended.    I  do  not  intend  to  speak  of  your  power 

over  the  Emperor But,  defeated  and  captive, 

what  does  it  matter?  Are  you  not  always  the 
Daughter  of  the  Mings?  Hundreds  of  millions  of 
hearts  bear  secret  allegiance  to  you.  The  rebellion 
quelled  to-day  by  my  soldiers  will  break  out  afresh 
to-morrow,  will  always  be  renewed.  You  are  the 
only  being  in  the  world  who  has  the  power  to  still 

it  for  ever and  that  takes  away  the  right  to 

die 

Empress     [Interrupting'] 

The    dead   await   me I    belong   to   them 

now I   hear  their  voices  calling  to  me  to 

come — — 

Emperor 

I  want  to  tell  you  in  the  fewest  words.  But  I 
feel  as  though  you  were  already  gone,  already  cold. 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         i8i 

I  press  on  and  I  am  all  at  a  loss.  It  seems  as  if  I 
were  speaking  to  a  tombstone.  Powers,  you  and  I, 
I  said,  ah,  yes,  great  powers!  Two  rival  lives  of 
fabled  emperors,  of  deified  heroes,  growing  feebler 
and  feebler  by  centuries  of  slavery  to  rites  and 
forms,  prisoners  in  an  excess  of  luxury ;  two  dynas- 
ties that  seemed  doomed  to  an  immortality  of  mum- 
myhood,  have  by  some  miracle  produced  you  and 
me,  who  are  alive  and  young.  As  a  result  of  our 
union,  a  new  China  might  arise,  living  like  us,  to 
dominate  the  world.  Together  we  might  accom- 
plish that  holy  mission  for  the  well-being  and  hap- 
piness of  our  races,  and  the  eternal  glory  of  our 
two  united  names.  But  without  you,  no,  I  can  do 
nothing.  I  shall  sink  again  into  my  gilded  soli- 
tude, my  sickly  idleness,  my  opium-drugged  sleep. 
If  you  but  knew  my  youth,  how  isolated  and  lonely, 
spent  in  an  apartment  decorated  in  black  ebony !  In 
the  gloom  of  this  palace,  an  imaginative  child,  I 
outlined  this  glorious  plan  of  union  with  you.  It 
haunted  my  brain.  Then  your  son  would  have 
been  my  son.  It  was  like  a  child  still  that  I  set  out 
on  that  adventure  to  see  you  in  your  palace  at  Nan- 
king. And  as  I  beheld,  my  man's  will,  which  still 
floated  in  the  midst  of  dreams,  was  suddenly  con- 
centrated upon  one  definite  desire.  Ah,  what  ob- 
stacles I  overcame!  First,  I  had  to  escape  from 
your  palace ;  then  to  return  here  unhindered  within 
the  terrible  walls  of  the  Yellow  City;  and  then  to 


i82    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

wrest  the  power  from  those  grim  evil-doers  who 
had  so  long  tortured  my  youthful  will  and  my 
reason.  The  war  was  already  at  its  height,  hatred 
was  enchained,  the  smell  of  blood  was  in  the  air, 
and  Chinese  and  Tartars  were  howling  like  wild 
beasts.  All  this,  you  know  full  well,  I  was  unable 
to  stop. 

Empress 

I  know. 

Emperor 

That  I  did  all  in  my  power  to  save  your  son  — 
you  believe  that,  do  you  not? 

Empress 
Now  I  believe  it. 

Emperor 
My  only  reason  for  speaking  of  these  things  is 
that  at  least  you  may  not  hate  me. 

Empress     [Still  calm  and  impersonal^ 
I  have  no  hate  for  you. 

Emperor 
The  heads  of  your  faitthful  soldiers  which  have 
just  fallen  were  sacrificed  against  my  will.  I  had 
issued  an  order  of  unconditional  pardon.  As  to  the 
Prince  who  left  you  a  few  minutes  ago.  [Smil- 
ing] —  for  I  see  all,  I  the  Phantom  Emperor,  as 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         183 

you  called  me  —  yes,  he  who  was  speaking  to  yon 
in  this  very  place  and  went  so  heroically  to  meet  his 
death,  will  be  saved.     You  shall  see  him  again! 

Empress 

I  thought  you  before  now  a  great  and  generous 
enemy. 

Emperor 

Of  my  love  I  have  not  even  dared  to  speak  to 
you. 

Empress 

I  am  grateful  to  you  that  you  have  kept  our  in- 
terview above  that  level. 

Emperor 

Every  word  you  utter  falls  upon  me  like  the  icy 
drops  of  slow  winter  rain,  and  yet  withal  I  must 
have  the  force  to  proceed  to  the  end.  Listen  to 
what  I  now  shall  say;  it  is  the  last  word  I  shall 
speak,  after  that  you  will  be  free.  Despite  that 
dreadful  war  to  the  death  between  us,  despite  that 
funeral  procession  which  now  slowly  carries  your 
son  to  the  forests  of  the  Last  Repose,  I  still  in- 
dulged in  the  beautiful  dream  of  putting  an  end 
to  ancient  hates  by  means  of  our  marriage,  of  mak- 
ing one  our  two  rival  dynasties,  of  giving  to  the 
great  empire  peace  everlasting 


i84    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

Empress     {^Interrupting'] 
Ever  since  you  asked  me  to  be  seated  upon  your 
throne,  I  understood. 

Emperor     {After  a  pause] 
And  your  reply? 

Empress 
My  reply  is  that,  neither  living  nor  dead,  will  I 
permit  the  Emperor  of  the  Tartars  even  to  touch 
my  hand.     It  is  too  late ;  too  many  rivers  of  blood 
flow  between  us. 

Emperor 
Still  one  word,  one  last  word.  We  are  not 
alone  at  this  solemn  historical  hour,  in  this  place 
which  seems  so  empty  and  silent.  The  shades  of 
warriors  and  the  illustrious  spirits  of  departed 
emperors  are  all  about  us,  listening  anxiously  for 
your  decision.  Your  beloved  dead  are  all  here,  at 
peace  with  mine  in  the  lofty  harmony  of  heaven. 
You  are  mistaken,  they  are  not  calling  to  you  to 
join  them;  they  are  commanding  you  to  live  for 
years  to  come,  to  aid  me  in  this  great  work  of  peace, 
of  which  I  dream  and  which,  without  you  seated  at 
my  side  on  this  throne,  I  shall  be  powerless  to  carry 
out.  You  have  not  the  right  to  decline  this  duty! 
In  the  name  of  the  thousands  of  invisible  spirits 
who   surround   us,    I   beg   of   you,    Daughter   of 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  185 

Heaven,  to  live !  [A  silence.^  I  have  said  all  that 
I  find  possible  to  say  I  await  your  decision.  I 
have  finished. 

Empress  [Growing  colder  and  more  distant  in 
her  attitude,  pointing  to  the  golden  jewel-case  at- 
tached to  the  Emperor's  girdle]  Then  give  it  to 
me  now! 

Emperor     [In  absolute  despair] 
No,  no!     Give  it  to  you  with  my  own  hands  I 
cannot.     Have  pity I  cannot !     I  cannot ! 

Empress     [Severely] 

But  your  promise,  sire,  your  imperial  word  of 
honour.     Give  it  to  me! 

[The  Emperor^  after  another  silence,  kneels  be- 
fore her,  takes  the  golden  box  from  his  girdle  and 
hands  it  to  her  slozuly,  his  face  turned  downward 
to  the  ground.] 

Empress  [After  opening  the  box,  speaking 
gently,  like  a  child  in  a  dream.]     Yes,  they  are  tiny, 

shining  pearls And   they   will   bring   death, 

peace,  nothingness,  [She  puts  the  pearls  in  her 
mouth,  then  throws  the  box  to  the  ground,  and 
rises  in  exaltation.  Triumphant  and  dominating 
the  room,  she  addresses  the  invisible  spirits  of  her 
forefathers.]     Oh,  my  ancestors,  behold  me!     Am 


i86    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

I  not  glorious?  You  see  me  in  that  place  whence 
you  of  old  dominated  the  world,  and  it  is  upon 
your  throne,  usurped  by  the  Tartar,  that  I  am  about 
to  die!  Your  daughter  has  remained  worthy  of 
her  race.  Despite  temptation  more  than  human, 
she  has  kept  her  word.  Open  wide  before  the  por- 
tals of  death, —  to  receive  her  among  you.  {^Smil- 
ing and  quite  gentle,  she  turns  to  the  Emperor 
who  is  still  kneeling.^  And  now  that  my  mission 
is  accomplished,  approach  me,  sire.  [She  takes  his 
hand  gently,  to  indicate  that  he  may  rise  and  be 
seated.^  For  the  second  time  in  her  life,  the  Em- 
press invites  you  to  be  seated  in  her  presence,  as 
once  before,  over  there,  you  remember,  one  morn- 
ing in  my  palace  which  is  now  no  more [She 

seats  herself  on  the  throne  again.^ 

Emperor     [Dreamilyl 

As  once  before,  there  in  your  garden  on  that 
never-to-be-forgotten  morning.  All  about  us,  the 
wonderful  flowers  of  distant  lands  were  unfolding 

their  petals,  still  moist  with  the  early  dews and 

the  beautiful  Imperial  Phoenix  was  brilliant  in  all 
her  glory.  [He  seats  himself  on  the  throne  near 
her,  his  head  resting  against  the  back.^ 

Empress 
To-day,  the  flames  have  swept  away  those  flowers, 
and  the  Phoenix  is  in  agony,  her  wings  burned  in 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN  187 

the  fire  of  war.  But,  on  the  threshold  of 
the  Great  Beyond,  she  will  confide  to  you  her  deep- 
est secret.  Now  it  is  your  turn  to  listen.  [The 
Emperor  raises  his  head  and  looks  at  her.'\  While 
you    were    uttering   those    noble    and    magnificent 

words  of  sacrifice Oh !  beneath  my  impassive 

mask,  what  a  struggle  was  mine  on  to  be  deaf  to 
their  appeal!  And  I  should  have  yielded,  if  the 
duty  which  you  presented  to  me  had  been  only  a 
painful  duty.  But  it  would  have  been  too  easy 
and  too  sweet.  For  I  loved  you!  [The  Emperor 
arises.^  And,  living,  I  have  no  more  the  right  to 
happiness,  because  it  was  I  who  lighted  that  great 
funeral  pyre  of  men's  lives  in  my  palace. 

Emperor  [Interrupting,  exidtantlyl 
O  my  sovereign !  O  my  beautiful,  fading  flower ! 
To  hear  that  from  your  lips  at  the  moment  when 
they  are  about  to  grow  cold  for  ever !  Oh !  To  be 
beloved  by  you,  I  could  not  believe  it  possible. 
And  now  no  aid  can  come  from  men  or  gods. 

Empress 
No  aid?  Do  you  think  I  would  accept  it?  I 
have  spoken  only  because  I  know  I  am  going  to  die. 
Aid!  But  did  I  not  tell  you  it  was  I  who  lighted 
the  pyre,  this  hand  which  set  to  it  the  flaming  torch. 
And  as  they  threw  themselves  into  the  glowing  fur- 
nace, dying  for  my  son  and  for  me,  I  cried  out  my 


i88    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

solemn  vow:  Soon  I  come  to  the  Land  of  the 
Shades,  I  come,  I  follow  you.     After  that,  if  I  were 

to   live,    to    spend   a   happy   life   with   you 1 

should  loathe  myself.  [She  remains  seated,  the 
Emperor  kneels  at  her  feet,  resting  his  head  on 
the  cushions  of  the  throne. '\  In  entering  your  pal- 
ace, I  was  afraid  of  myself,  it  was  only  myself  that 

I  feared for  at  no  time  did  I  hate  that  strange 

impostor  who  appeared  in  my  palace  one  day, 
never  did  I  hate  him  even  when  I  knew  not,  when 
I  did  not  understand.  And  in  the  closed  litter  in 
which  I  was  brought  to  Peking,  at  every  stage  of 
that  mournful  journey  my  fears  and  my  anguish 
increased,  according  as  the  impression  became 
stronger  and  stronger,  until  at  last  I  was  convinced 
that  you  were  the  Emperor!  [Suddenly  terrified, 
she  starts  «/>.]  You  have  not  deceived  me?  Tell 
me,  it  is  indeed  death  which  you  have  given  me? 
Oh,  no,  you  could  not  have  done  that.  You  are  too 
noble  to  have  led  me  into  a  trap 

Emperor 

No,  my  sovereign,  no,  I  have  not  deceived  you. 
Death  is  close  to  you,  it  is  in  your  heart,  inevitable 
death. 

Empress 

Will  it  take  long?  How  many  minutes  are  still 
left  to  me? 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         189 

Emperor 
Minutes?     Oh,   scarcely  seconds.     You  are  on 
the  point  of  slipping  away  from  me  into  nothing- 
ness.    The  frail  covering  of  gold  leaf  still  protects 
you.     As  soon  as  that  dissolves 

Empress 
I  shall  suffer? 

Emperor 
No! 

Empress 

Tell  me  how  I  shall  pass  away. 

Emperor 

You  will  hear  a  ringing  in  your  brain  as  if  the 

great  bell  of  honour  were  being  sounded  for  you 

—  and  then  a  dizziness  —  and  suddenly  will  come 

eternal  peace!     [He  rises  and  rends  his  garments.^ 

0  Gods,  if  you  are  capable  of  compassion,  look 
down  upon  me have  pity ! 

Empress  [At  Urst  very  slowly,  pacing  the  plat- 
form of  the  throne  like  one  in  a  dream.']  Whither 
am  I  going?  Who  can  tell  me  whither  I  am  going, 
where  I  shall  soon  be?  To  the  dead?  to  the 
Shades,  what  can  it  matter  how  I  use  this  last  flicker 
of  my  life,  so  soon  to  be  extinguished?     Now  that 

1  have  kept  my  word,  at  least  this  last  moment  be- 
longs to  me,  which  to  us  is  worth  Eternity.     [To 


I90    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

the  Emperor.]  Let  it  be  mine  that  I  may  give  it 
to  you!  [She  seats  herself  on  the  throne  again.^ 
Come  close  to  me,  my  beloved,  my  master,  my  God 

[The  Emperor  sits  near  her,  at  first  as  with 

religions  awe.'\     Come,  I  desire  to  rest  my  head  on 

your  shoulder  while  I  die [The  Emperor 

takes  her  in  his  arms.'\  Do  you  not  see  that  we  are 
like  two  stars,  separated  by  a  boundless  abyss,  but 
withal  making  desperate  efforts  to  flash  their  light 

to  each  other? But  now  the  abyss  is  crossed 

and  my  mortal  enemy  is  weeping  tears  for  love  in 
my  embrace.  Let  me  rest  against  your  breast,  come 
closer,  with  all  your  being,  that  I  may  pass  away  as 
though  in  you. 
Emperor  [Embracing  her  more  passional elyi] 
In  me  and  with  me,  for  I  shall  follow  you,  my 
beautiful  Phoenix,  that  would  fly  away  beyond  my 
reach 

Empress 

No!  Remain  on  earth,  live  on  to  keep  the  love 
which  I  have  given  you.  Who  else  would  remem« 
ber  me  and  pay  the  honours  to  my  spirit?  In  the 
valley  of  eternal  silence,  amid  the  marble  avenues, 
under  the  shade  of  the  dark  cedars,  who  else  would 
come  to  dream  of  my  vanished  beauty,  that  was  but 
for  a  day?  Promise  me  you  will  stay.  But  come 
still  closer  to  me.  If  you  do  not  fear  the  last  breath 
of  one  who  is  dying,  press  your  lips  against  mine, 


THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN         191 

my  beloved,  that  I  may  at  least  have  known  the  rap- 
ture of  your  kiss 

Emperor  [Pressing  his  lips  to  hers  desperately^ 
Oh!  Even  your  ashes  would  be  lovely  to  me, 
even  your  body  in  decay.  Fear!  you  ask  if  I 
fear?  Respect  alone  will  unlock  my  embrace  — 
when  I  feel  that  the  breath  of  life  is  no  more. 

Empress  [Wandering,  half  drawing  herself 
away^ 

Ah !     Yes  —  I  hear  the  great  bell  sounding.     It 

is  the  signal,  then?     I  am  sinking Hold  me 

up,  my  beloved.     Keep  me  from  sinking  thus 

into  the  abyss. 

[During  an  instant  of  silence,  they  remain  em- 
braced. Then  the  Emperor  rouses  himself,  cries 
aloud  in  his  grief,  and  the  dead  body  falls  back  on 
the  throne.^ 


SCENE  X. 

The  Emperor,  and  then  the  Crowd. 

[The  Emperor  descends  the  steps  of  the  throne, 
quickly  runs  to  the  gong  and  strikes  three  deep 
strokes.  The  doors  are  thrown  open.  Dignita- 
ries and  Officials  appear  on  the  threshold.^ 
The  Emperor     [addressing  the  crowd,  who  enter 


192    THE  DAUGHTER  OF  HEAVEN 

in  robes  of  state,  and  pointing  to  the  dead  Em- 
press-l 

Come,  all  dignitaries  and  great  men  of  the  Em- 
pire !  Put  perfumes  in  the  censers,  keep  on  amber ! 
Sound  the  marble  chimes,  as  for  the  gods.  Pay 
homage  to  Your  Empress !  On  your  knees,  all,  be- 
fore The  Daughter  of  Heaven ! 

[He  kneels  on  the  steps  himself  The  marble 
chimes  are  sounded.  The  brilliant  crowd  Mis  the 
throne-room,  prostrating  themselves  before  the 
dead.'\ 


THE  END 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY,  LOS  ANGELES 

COLLEGE  LIBRARY 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


Book  Slip — Series  4280 


UCLA-College  Library 

PQ  2257  G24F4E 


L  005  693  1  97  5 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


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